Pradhan in Bangladesh to energise hydrocarbon ties

Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan is on a visit to Bangladesh from April 17 to 19. The visit is aimed at following up on the ambitious agenda set between India and Bangladesh during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in June, 2015. On arrival in Dhaka, Pradhan called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He conveyed that the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has become pragmatic and mature over the last few years. 

He discussed all bilateral issues pertaining to the hydrocarbon sector between the two countries. Pradhan referred to the supply of 2,200 mt high-speed diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh from the Siliguri marketing terminal of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) to Parbatipur Depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in Bangladesh, and said that India was planning to continue supply of HSD in a sustainable manner. 

He noted the ongoing collaboration between companies from both countries in the hydrocarbon sector ranging from trade in petroleum products, exploration work and consultancy services. 

Pradhan thanked Prime Minister Sheik Hasina for the encouraging support received from her government. 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 win-win situation for both sides. Pradhan also discussed the ‘Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline’ and called it as an important project for both countries.

He will meet Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Adviser on Energy, Power and Mineral Resources to the Prime Minister, and Nasrul Hamid, Minister of State for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh. On Monday, Pradhan will witness signing of an MoU on broad aspects of cooperation in downstream oil and gas sector opportunities in Bangladesh between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and BPC. 

He will also visit Chittagong on Tuesday to witness award of contract by Eastern Refineries Ltd to Engineers India Ltd (EIL) as Project Management and Consultant for its 3 MMTPA refinery expansion project. Pradhan is accompanied by CEOs of major public sector oil and gas companies.