India, Bangladesh inaugurate 'friendship pipeline'

By Ahmad Adil and Md. Kamruzzaman

NEW DELHI/DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - India and Bangladesh have inaugurated a "friendship pipeline," the first cross-border energy pipeline between the two South Asian nations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina attended the event virtually on Saturday for the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, built at an estimated cost of 3.77 billion Indian rupees (about $45.67 million).

Indian government officials say the cost of the portion of the high-speed diesel pipeline in Bangladesh was roughly 2.85 billion rupees and was borne by the Indian government under "grant assistance."

A statement by the Indian side said the pipeline could transport 1 million metric tons per year to initially supply the fuel to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

It said the pipeline would provide a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective, and environment-friendly mode of transporting high-speed diesel from India to Bangladesh, further enhancing cooperation in energy security between the two countries.

The total length of the pipeline is approximately 132 kilometers (82 miles), with 127 kilometers (79 miles) located in Bangladesh. Before the pipeline's completion, high-speed diesel was supplied via rail wagons. The foundation stone of the friendship pipeline was laid in 2018.

During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi said it marked "a new chapter" in India-Bangladesh relations and noted that the pipeline would not only reduce costs but also carbon emissions.

Prime Minister Hasina referred to India as a "tested friend" of Bangladesh and said friendship between the two neighboring countries was becoming deeper by the day.

She said the cross-border energy pipeline benefit Bangladeshis and play a significant role in ensuring the country's energy security, especially amid the Russia-Ukraine war, which impacted energy supplies in many countries. By importing diesel from India through this pipeline, costs and time will be saved, she added.