India, China Offer Fuel Supply Support to Bangladesh

India and China have expressed interest in supporting Bangladesh with fuel supplies following separate meetings with the country’s finance and energy ministers, officials said.

The issue was discussed when India’s ambassador to Dhaka, Pranay Verma, and China’s ambassador, Yao Wen, met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku at the Secretariat.

Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the finance minister, the Chinese envoy said Dhaka and Beijing would work together to address Bangladesh’s energy challenges. He added that China is keen to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector and provide support where necessary.

Earlier in the day, the Indian ambassador held discussions with the energy minister on possible fuel supply arrangements.

According to meeting documents, Bangladesh has proposed importing around 20,000 tonnes of diesel per month through a pipeline from Numaligarh Refinery Limited in India under an existing bilateral agreement.

Under the current arrangement, Bangladesh has received about 5,000 tonnes of diesel so far this year. Authorities in Dhaka are also working to receive another 5,000 tonnes within the next few days.

Bangladesh has additionally expressed interest in securing supplies from the optional quantity of up to 60,000 tonnes of diesel available under the agreement. Officials said discussions are continuing to ensure stable fuel supply amid growing energy demand.