Bangladesh has sought an additional 50,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India over the next four months through the Bangladesh–India Fuel Pipeline.
The request was conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, during a courtesy call with Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Under an existing agreement, Bangladesh imports around 180,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually from India’s Numaligarh Refinery. However, supplies have declined over the past year amid tensions in bilateral relations between the two countries, officals of energy and mineral resources division confirmed.
In the latest development, the government is considering increased fuel imports to meet the country’s growing irrigation demand. The move comes as global supply chains face disruption following the reported shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran amid escalating tensions involving the United States and Israel.
The Indian High Commissioner is also expected to meet Power Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Wednesday to discuss energy sector cooperation between Bangladesh and India including the diesel supply. Such cooperation had stalled for more than a year following the July 2024 student uprising.
“We discussed ways to enhance economic ties and cooperation between the two countries, as well as ongoing development cooperation projects,” Pranay Verma told journalists after the meeting with the finance minister at the Secretariat.
Besides, Energy and Mineral Reesources Division secreatry Mohammad Saiful Islam confirmed that the goivernment has sought additional 50,000 metric tonnes of diesel supply from India.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh may also approach the Iranian ambassador in Dhaka to request assurances that Bangladeshi vessels will be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz to transport essential oil supplies.