India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Jointly Inaugurated by Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline: It is a proposed pipeline project that aims to secure energy security of Bangladesh and build a more comprehensive India-Bangladesh Relations. India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is also important for UPSC Prelims 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- International Relations: India and its neighbourhood relations).

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline in News

Recently, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline via video-conference. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is the first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh.

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is a proposed pipeline project that would transport diesel from India to Bangladesh.

• Objective: The India-Bangladesh project aims to strengthen economic ties between the two countries and provide a reliable source of energy for Bangladesh.
• Length and Capacity: The India Bangladesh pipeline would be 130 kilometers long, with a capacity of 1 million metric tonnes per year.
• Coverage: It would start from Siliguri in West Bengal, India, and terminate at Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.
  • India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will supply High Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.
• Cost: India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approx. INR 285 crore, has been borne by the Government of India under grant assistance.
• Implementation: The project is being implemented by a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
  • The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2018 to jointly set up the pipeline.

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Significance

The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is expected to reduce transportation costs and time for diesel imports from India to Bangladesh.

• It will also reduce the dependence of Bangladesh on sea routes for importing petroleum products, which are often affected by weather conditions and other logistical challenges.
• The project is expected to benefit both countries, as it will create employment opportunities and boost trade and commerce.
• The pipeline is also expected to contribute to the overall development and growth of the region.

India-Bangladesh Energy Cooperation

India and Bangladesh have been working together in the field of energy cooperation for many years. The two countries have signed several agreements to enhance cooperation in the energy sector, including the production and distribution of power, the exploration of hydrocarbons, and the construction of pipelines.

Some of the key areas of energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh are:

1. Power generation: India has been providing electricity to Bangladesh through cross-border transmission lines. In addition, several Indian companies are investing in power generation projects in Bangladesh.
2. Natural gas exploration: India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been exploring for natural gas in Bangladesh since 2006. ONGC is also involved in a joint venture with Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) for the exploration and production of natural gas in Bangladesh.
3. Pipeline construction: India and Bangladesh are jointly constructing a 130-kilometer-long Friendship Pipeline to transport diesel from India to Bangladesh. The pipeline is expected to be completed by 2021.
4. Renewable energy: India has been sharing its expertise in the field of renewable energy with Bangladesh. India has provided financial assistance to Bangladesh for the installation of solar power plants and other renewable energy projects.

Conclusion

Overall, energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh is an important aspect of their bilateral relationship. It is expected to bring economic benefits to both countries and contribute to the overall development of the region.

India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline FAQs

Q. What is the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline?

Ans. The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is a 130-kilometer pipeline that will transport refined diesel from India to Bangladesh. The pipeline is expected to improve energy security in Bangladesh and enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Bangladesh.

Q. Who is constructing the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline?

Ans. The India-Bangladesh pipeline is being constructed by the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) of India, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

Q. What is the capacity of the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline?

Ans. The pipeline will have a capacity of 1 million metric tonnes per annum.

Q. How will the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline benefit Bangladesh?

Ans. The pipeline will improve energy security in Bangladesh by providing a reliable source of refined diesel. It is also expected to reduce transportation costs and lower the country’s dependence on imported diesel from other countries.

Q. How will the India-Bangladesh Friendship pipeline benefit India?

Ans. The pipeline will enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Bangladesh. It will also create opportunities for Indian companies to supply more refined diesel to Bangladesh and strengthen India’s energy security.

India-Bangladesh set for CEPA

India-Bangladesh set for CEPA

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