DHAKA, Nov 3, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the jointly inaugurated three India assisted development schemes will benefit both the people of Bangladesh and India alongside the people of the sub-region.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and I jointly opened three development schemes on November 1. I hope these projects will benefit the people of both the countries and the sub-region," she said when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on her at the latter's official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.

The three projects are: the 12.24km Akhaura-Agartala cross-border rail link, the Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line; and Unit - II of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told a news briefing after the meeting.

The Prime Minister also thanked the Indian government and Narendra Modi for supporting Saima Wazed's candidacy as the World Health Organization's (WHO) new regional director for South East Asia region for a five-year term beginning from 2024 in an election in India.

The election was held on November 1 and Saima Wazed, only daughter of Sheikh Hasina, won it defeating lone candidate from Nepal.

 During the meeting, the Prime Minister said the general elections are approaching in both the countries. "Both the countries should be mindful about each other's sensitivity," she said.

During the meeting, both of them expressed happiness about the state of bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the countries.

Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin were present at the meeting.