New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) Highlighting India's significant role as a leading exporter of refined petroleum products to its neighboring nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that a request for diesel supply has been received from Bangladesh and is currently under assessment.

“India stands as a prominent exporter of refined petroleum products, particularly to our neighboring countries. We have acknowledged a request from the Bangladeshi government for diesel supply, which is presently being evaluated. Our commitment to a people-focused and development-centric relationship with Bangladesh has led us to supply diesel from the Numaligarh refinery since 2007, utilizing various transportation methods including waterways, rail, and, more recently, the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline,” stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing in New Delhi.

“In October 2017, a sales agreement was established between Numaligarh Refinery and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation for the provision of high-speed diesel under mutually agreed terms. It is important to note that while diesel exports to Bangladesh have persistently continued since 2017, India's refining capacity, domestic requirements, and the availability of diesel will be taken into account in our decision-making,” he added.

Jaiswal emphasized that similar requests have also been received from other nations, including Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which are under review, taking into consideration India's domestic energy needs and supply availability.

As reported by Bangladesh's prominent newspaper, The Daily Star, the ongoing conflict in West Asia is beginning to have an impact on global energy markets, and Bangladesh is starting to feel the effects.

Recently, it was noted that fuel stations in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other areas were inundated with motorists eager to refuel, driven by fears of shortages.

“Long queues formed at numerous stations, with drivers waiting for extended periods to fill their tanks. The country heavily depends on imported energy, especially fuel oils and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Middle East, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sparked concerns about possible supply disruptions for transport, industry, and households,” stated The Daily Star editorial.

“Approximately one-fifth of our crude oil imports transit through this crucial route. While most refined petroleum products are sourced from other Asian suppliers, the uncertainty in global energy flows has heightened consumer anxiety,” it concluded.