New Delhi: India is ready to help Bangladesh in a greater way to modernise its railway network and expand it accordingly if it benefits Bangladesh, said Indian Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu here on Wednesday.

"We don't want to do anything which doesn't benefit Bangladesh, too. Both sides must benefit from any such cooperation," he said while talking to a visiting Bangladesh media delegation at Rail Bhaban here.

He said India will be happy to do as much as possible for Bangladesh in terms of extending cooperation. 

Indian Railways has embarked upon ‘mission electrification’ with an aim to reduce dependence on imported fuel and rationalise the cost of energy for Railways, according the Indian Railways Ministry. 

In light of these developments, some 90 percent of railway routes have been planned for electrification in the coming years. 

Responding to a UNB question, Suresh said India and Bangladesh will work to connect the missing railway links, and Chittagong will also be connected under such initiatives.

"India's relations with Bangladesh had never been better than today. We’ll be providing support to Bangladesh in its railway sector," he said adding that they are waiting to welcome Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. 

Indian Railways has planned to set up 1000 MW solar plants and about 200 MW of wind power plants over the next few years across various Zonal Railways and productions unit. 

India can share this experience with Bangladesh, Suresh said. 

Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express will have more frequent journeys - four trains from Dhaka and four from Kolkata every week soon with fully air-conditioned coaches, said the Indian side.    

The eight-member media delegation from Bangladesh comprising editors and senior reporters is visiting New Delhi at the invitation of the External Affairs Ministry ahead of the Prime Minister’s four-day visit.