Bangladesh seeks more diesel from India via pipeline amid power crisis
Synopsis
Bangladesh's energy minister has formally asked India to ramp up diesel flows through the cross-border friendship pipeline, exposing the depth of Dhaka's power and gas crisis. With West Asia maritime routes disrupted and foreign exchange under pressure, India's pipeline has become a lifeline — and Dhaka wants more of it.
Key Takeaways
Bangladesh has requested increased diesel supplies from India via the India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline .
The request was made by Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood after a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi in Dhaka .
In April , an additional 5,000 tonnes of diesel had already begun flowing through the pipeline amid West Asia maritime disruptions.
The Indian High Commission confirmed both sides reaffirmed commitment to cross-border energy cooperation on X .
No confirmed timeline or volume for the additional supply has been announced.
Bangladesh has formally requested an increase in diesel supplies from India through the cross-border India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, as Dhaka grapples with persistent electricity and gas shortages, according to local media reports. The request was conveyed on Thursday by Bangladesh's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood following a meeting with Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi at the Secretariat in Dhaka.
What the Minister Said
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Minister Mahmood confirmed that energy cooperation was among the central issues on the agenda. 'We import diesel from India through the pipeline, and we have requested them to supply more,' he said, as quoted by Bangladeshi daily The Business Standard.
Mahmood was careful to frame the meeting as part of his standard diplomatic calendar. 'I regularly meet ambassadors from different countries. The meeting with the Indian high commissioner was also a routine one. As India is our neighbouring country, we have many areas of mutual interest, and those issues were discussed,' he added.
What the Indian High Commission Said
Bangladesh's Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, was also present at the meeting. The Indian High Commission in Dhaka posted on X that the discussion 'focused on the importance of cross-border power and energy connectivity as a key pillar of India–Bangladesh economic partnership.' Both sides, it noted, 'reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing cooperation based on mutual interest and mutual benefit, with a view to enhancing energy security, promoting sustainable development, and supporting the prosperity of the people of both countries.'
Pipeline Background and Recent Flows
The India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline has been a critical artery for Dhaka's fuel security. As recently as April, an additional 5,000 tonnes of diesel began flowing into Bangladesh through the pipeline, reinforcing supply lines at a time when maritime uncertainty in West Asia was disrupting energy imports, according to reports. The latest request signals that even that augmented flow has not been sufficient to address Bangladesh's growing energy deficit.
Why It Matters
Bangladesh's energy crisis has deepened in recent months, with rolling power cuts affecting households and industries alike. The country's dependence on imported fuel — compounded by foreign exchange constraints and global price volatility — has made bilateral energy arrangements with India increasingly critical. This is not an isolated request; energy cooperation has been a recurring theme in India–Bangladesh diplomatic engagements, underlining the structural nature of Dhaka's supply challenge. The outcome of this request could have direct bearing on industrial output and daily life for millions of Bangladeshis.
What Comes Next
No timeline or confirmed volume for the additional supply has been announced. The two governments are expected to continue talks through diplomatic channels, with energy security likely to remain a top bilateral agenda item in the months ahead.
Point of View
Import disruptions, and underinvestment in domestic capacity — problems a pipeline can ease but not resolve. For India, fulfilling the request is as much a strategic choice as an economic one: energy leverage in a neighbourhood where influence is actively contested. The real question is whether the two sides can move beyond transactional fuel flows toward the long-term grid integration and renewable cooperation that both have gestured at but not yet delivered.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bangladesh requesting more diesel from India?
Bangladesh is facing ongoing electricity and gas shortages that have worsened amid global energy price volatility and maritime disruptions in West Asia affecting fuel imports. The country imports diesel from India through the cross-border India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline and has asked for volumes to be increased to help ease the domestic energy deficit.
What is the India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline?
The India–Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is a cross-border fuel conduit that allows India to supply diesel directly into Bangladesh, bypassing sea routes. As of April, an additional 5,000 tonnes of diesel per month began flowing through the pipeline, reinforcing Dhaka's fuel security.
Who attended the meeting where the request was made?
The meeting was held at the Secretariat in Dhaka between Bangladesh's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. Bangladesh's Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Anindya Islam Amit, was also present.
What did the Indian High Commission say about the meeting?
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka posted on X that the discussion focused on cross-border power and energy connectivity as a key pillar of the bilateral economic partnership, with both sides reaffirming commitment to cooperation based on mutual interest and mutual benefit.
Has India agreed to supply more diesel to Bangladesh?
No formal agreement or confirmed volume has been announced following the meeting. Diplomatic talks are expected to continue, with energy cooperation remaining a priority agenda item for both governments.
