Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh wants collaborative engagements with India and other neighbours for regional peace and prosperity and benefit of the people in South Asia.

‘We want to cooperate with India and other countries in the immediate neighbourhood for creating an area of peace in South Asia,’ she said while jointly flagging off Khulna-Kolkata ‘Bandhan Express’ train service with her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi through a video conference.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh values such engagements so ‘we can live as good neighbours and pursue constructive policies for the benefit of our people’.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined the inauguration through videoconferencing from West Bengal as the two premiers took part in the function from their offices in Dhaka and New Delhi.

The videoconferencing also marked the launching of the ‘end-to-end’ immigration and customs facilities of Dhaka-Kolkata ‘Maitree Express’ train service and opening of the second Bhairab Railway Bridge and the second Titas Railway Bridge.

Modi accompanied by Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at the Delhi end while foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Economic Affairs Adviser Dr Moshiur Rahman, state minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam and Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir MP were present at the premier’s official Ganobhaban residence.

Railways Minister Mazibul Haque joined the videoconferencing from the second Bhairab Bridge site while the PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Indian High Commissioner Hrash Vardhan Shringla, National Revenue Board Chairman Mohammad Nazibur Rahman and PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim accompanied the premier at Ganabhaban.

Sheikh Hasina said there is an excellent relation between Bangladesh and India which is very much essential for development of both the countries.

She said Bangladesh-India relations are in fact setting new high standards of bilateral cooperation in the region and beyond.

‘I am 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,’ she said.

Referring to the inauguration of Khulna-Kolkata rail service today, Sheikh Hasina said this bond won’t remain in only rail, it will also create bonds between the people of the two countries.

‘We expect that it will take both the countries towards socioeconomic development,’ she said.