Hasina for creating 'peace area' in S Asia, Modi stresses boosting ties

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put emphasis on further strengthening relationships among the neigbouring countries for ensuring their growth and prosperity, reports agencies.

"From the very beginning I have been convinced that with the leaders of the neighboring countries there should be relationship like neighbours," he said on Thursday while jointly flagging off Khulna-Kolkata "Bandhan Express" train service with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina through a videoconferencing.

"I have full faith that if we enhance our relations and strengthen relationships between people, we will touch new sky of growth and prosperity," he added.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister flagged off the train from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka, while Narendra Modi accompanied by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj flagged off from his office in New Delhi.

The two Prime Ministers also inaugurated the "end-to-end" immigration and customs facilities of Dhaka-Kolkata "Maitree Express" train service and opened the second Bhairab Railway Bridge and the second Titas Railway Bridge through the videoconferencing.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal.

The Indian premier said when it comes to mind, there should be discussion and visits should be done. "In all of this we should not stay in the bond of protocol," he said.

"I have full faith that as we enhance our relations and strengthen relationships between people, we will touch a new sky of growth and prosperity," he added.

Pointing out that development and connectivity are connected together, Modi said they have taken some more steps towards strengthening the relations between the two countries which are centuries old historical links, especially among the people of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

"Whenever we talk of connectivity, I always feel the vision of restoring our pre-1965 connectivity. I am very happy that we are continuously moving forward in this direction. Today we have also inaugurated two railway bridges," he said.

He said the bridges built at a cost of around 100 million dollars, will help strengthen Bangladesh's rail network.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh wants to cooperate with India and other neighbouring countries for creating a 'peace area' in South Asia where all can live together as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for the benefit of all.

"We're ready to cooperate with India and other countries in the immediate neighbourhood for creating a 'peace area' in South Asia where we can live together," she said.

As friendly nations, Hasina said, there has been an excellent relationship between the two countries and continuation of such relationship is very much essential.

With the inaugurations of these services, she said, a new door of relationship has been opened up between the two countries, and this will further strengthened in the future.

Hasina said not only in rail, it is also the expectation of her government to create bond among the people of the two countries and thus unleash socio-economic development of the two nations.

She said Bangladesh-India relations are in fact setting new high standards of bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond. "I'm sure we would be having many more similar, happy occasions in the days ahead for the greater benefit of our peoples. I look forward to working with your Excellency in our joint endeavour to that end."