In 2026, India will begin supplying diesel to Bangladesh through the Bangladesh–India Friendship Pipeline (BIFP), marking a new chapter in the two countries’ cross-border cooperation in energy. The BIFP is expected to enhance energy security for Bangladesh while boosting economic ties between these two countries.
The first shipment represents the beginning of this long-planned project, which aims to deliver fuel more efficiently than conventional transportation methods (e.g., rail tankers).
Diesel Flow into Bangladesh Begins
The first diesel shipment from Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam to Parbatipur Depot in Dinajpur District, Bangladesh, consists of approximately 5,000 tonnes of diesel. The diesel is expected to transit through the pipeline for about 44–45 hours before reaching Parbatipur.
This is part of a larger annual contract, which may amount to approximately 180,000 tonnes of diesel supplied during the period from 2026 to 2027. Transitioning to this arrangement will provide Bangladesh with a reliable and direct source of diesel via the pipeline.
Why the Pipeline Supply Matters
The new Friendship Pipeline project to supply diesel throughout Bangladesh follows the recent volatility in international energy markets caused in part by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. These events have led to a fear of instability with fuel supplies and volatility in pricing throughout Asia. For Bangladesh, the supply of diesel is important because of its use for electricity generation, in the transport sector and for agricultural purposes. The Friendship Pipeline will provide a more direct route to transport diesel compared to using rail tankers or ships, which will enable a reduction in the transportation time and overall costs associated with getting fuel into the northern areas of Bangladesh and improving the stability of fuel supplies in northern Bangladesh.
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project
The Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline Project is one of the key infrastructure initiatives being undertaken to create a more robust and beneficial energy trading framework between Bangladesh and India. The pipeline will connect the Numaligarh Refinery in Assam to the Parbatipur fuel depot in northern Bangladesh over a distance of 131 km, with the majority of the pipeline located in Bangladesh.
The construction of the pipeline was inaugurated in 2023 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which reflects the importance that both leaders place on energy cooperation between their two countries. Progress continues to be made to facilitate the ongoing transfer of diesel from India into Bangladesh through the Friendship Pipeline.
A Strategic Step for Regional Energy Cooperation
The supply of diesel through the pipeline shows how countries can work together more effectively to secure energy resources within the region.
This project provides India’s northeast refineries with expanded refinery options while improving trade relations between India and Bangladesh. Likewise, Bangladesh will benefit from this pipeline’s ability to provide a consistent, lower-cost source of fuel to foster growth within the economy.
Energy analysts believe cross-border infrastructure projects such as this will gain relevance as South Asian countries attempt to secure dependable energy resources in light of uncertainty regarding global fuel markets.
In addition, if the pipeline reaches maximum capacity, then it has the potential to transform fuel delivery within the region and serve as a template for future cooperation amongst countries within the energy sector.
FAQs
1. What is the Friendship Pipeline between Bangladesh and India?
The 131-kilometre cross-border pipeline moves diesel from India’s Numaligarh refinery in Assam to Bangladesh’s Parbatipur depot.
2. How much diesel will India send to Bangladesh?
Under the current deal, India is expected to send about 180,000 tonnes of diesel through the pipeline each year.
3. What does the pipeline mean for Bangladesh?
It gives a faster, cheaper, and more reliable fuel supply, which makes us less reliant on rail tanker deliveries and makes our energy security better.
Read Also: No Gas? 3 Easy Ramadan Meals You Can Cook in a Rice Cooker
