Amid Fuel Concerns In Bangladesh, India Pumps 5000 Tonnes Of Diesel To Dhaka Through Friendship Pipeline
5,000 tonnes of diesel have been sent from India as part of the regular energy trade between the two countries. Image courtesy: RNA
In a development reflecting both regional cooperation and renewed diplomatic engagement, India has begun supplying diesel to Bangladesh through a cross-border pipeline, this at a time when a senior Bangladeshi envoy also engaged with top Indian military officers to discuss the future of bilateral ties.
The twin developments, energy cooperation and strategic dialogue, are being seen as signs of improving momentum in India-Bangladesh relations, since BNP leader Tarique Rahman becoming the new Prime Minister of the country. His swearing-in was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
Even as the world continues to grapple with the ripple effects of the situation in West Asia and Iran war, India is once again stepping in to support a neighbouring country during a period of domestic pressure on fuel supplies. This time, India has sent tonnes of fuel to Dhaka through their friendship pipeline.
India sends diesel to Bangladesh through strategic pipeline
Bangladesh on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) received 5,000 tonnes of diesel from India through the India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, entering the country via the Parbatipur border point.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Muhammad Rezanur Rahman confirmed that the shipment is part of an existing agreement under which India supplies 180,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh annually through the pipeline. According to him, the consignment forms part of the first six-month supply schedule, which requires at least 90,000 tonnes of diesel to be delivered within the initial period.
“We have an agreement with India, and under that agreement India supplies diesel through the pipeline. The 5,000 tonnes arriving now is part of that commitment,” Rahman said. Officials indicated that additional consignments are expected in the coming weeks, with Bangladesh aiming to complete the six-month quota within the next two months.
Fuel supply pressures trigger crackdown in Bangladesh
The diesel shipment comes as Bangladesh authorities intensify efforts to stabilise fuel supply and prevent hoarding amid concerns of artificial shortages. Bangladesh’s Energy Ministry recently conducted inspections and enforcement drives across fuel stations, warning that some traders were illegally stockpiling fuel and selling beyond government-approved limits to create scarcity and drive up prices.
Authorities deployed mobile courts led by executive magistrates in Dhaka and other areas to crack down on violations such as hoarding fuel stocks, selling fuel above prescribed limits, smuggling and black-market sales. Officials said these steps were necessary to ensure stable supply and prevent panic buying.
India’s pipeline supply is therefore seen as a key stabilising factor for Bangladesh’s fuel market during the current pressure on domestic stocks.
Strategic energy lifeline between neighbours
The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, inaugurated in recent years, has become a symbol of deepening energy connectivity between the two neighbours. The pipeline enables direct and faster delivery of refined petroleum products from India to northern Bangladesh, reducing reliance on costly maritime transport.
Energy cooperation has emerged as a central pillar of bilateral ties, with India supporting Bangladesh through electricity exports, fuel supply agreements and cross-border infrastructure projects. For Bangladesh, the pipeline ensures reliable fuel access, while for India it reinforces its role as a regional energy partner and first responder.
Bangladesh envoy engages Indian military leadership
At the same time, another development suggested improving diplomatic engagement between the two countries. Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to India, Riaz Hamidullah, visited the Indian Army War College in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, where he addressed around 180 senior officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force attending the prestigious Higher Command Course.
The envoy was welcomed by Lieutenant General Harjeet Singh Sahi, Commandant of the Army War College.
During the interaction, Hamidullah shared perspectives on the current state of Bangladesh–India relations, discussing existing challenges as well as the “road ahead” for advancing shared interests between the two nations. In a post on social media platform X, the envoy said the discussion focused on ways to address outstanding issues and deepen cooperation.
Signs of a gradual thaw in India-Bangladesh Relations
The diplomatic outreach comes at a time when India-Bangladesh ties have been witnessing a visible shift in their relations, which became sour after the ouster of the then Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.
Engagement with India’s senior military leadership, combined with ongoing cooperation in areas such as energy, connectivity and trade, suggests efforts on both sides to maintain stability and strengthen long-term partnerships.
Meanwhile, India has historically played a key role in supporting Bangladesh during economic, humanitarian and security challenges, reinforcing its policy of prioritising neighbourhood stability under the ‘Neighbourhood First’ approach.
