India supplies high-speed diesel to Bangladesh
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and said India was ready to continue supplying HSD (high-speed diesel) to Bangladesh in a sustainable manner.
Pradhan said India will supply 2200 MT HSD from Siliguri Marketing Terminal of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) to Parbatipur Depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation in Bangladesh.
The decision to supply HSD was taken on the first day of Pradhan’s 3 day visit to Bangladesh, from April 17-19.
“He shared the details of Indian hydrocarbon infrastructure project proposals in Bangladesh including setting up of LPG import terminal at Chittagong by IOCL and sought favourable consideration for creating a win-win situation for both sides. Pradhan also discussed the ‘Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline’ and called it as an important project for both countries,” the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas reported in its official statement.
“The India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has become pragmatic and mature over the last few years," Pradhan said.
Pradhan also praised the ongoing collaboration between the two countries in the hydrocarbon sector, ranging from trade in petroleum products, exploration work, and consultancy services.
The minister is scheduled to meet several Bangladeshi officials during his visit. On Monday, he will oversee the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and BPC on cooperation in downstream oil and gas sector.
On Tuesday, the Indian Petroleum Minister will visit Chittagong to witness a contract awarded by Eastern Refineries Ltd. to Engineers India Limited (EIL) as Project Management and Consultant for its 3 MMTPA refinery expansion project.
It has to be noted that the minister’s visit is a follow up of the Prime Minister’s recent inauguration of a 100 MW power supply from Tripura's Palatana to Bangladesh by a remote control.