Indian oil minister arrives in Dhaka

Dharmendra Pradhan, Indian minister of state for petroleum and natural gas, reached Dhaka yesterday, the Indian High Commission said in a statement.

His three-day visit is aimed at following up on the ambitious agenda set between the countries during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in June 2015.

Pradhan called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday and said the India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has become pragmatic and mature over the last few years.

He discussed issues pertaining to hydro-carbon sector between the two countries.

Pradhan referred to the supply of high-speed diesel from Siliguri Marketing Terminal of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd to Parbatipur Depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.

He said India was planning to continue supply of the diesel in a sustainable manner.

Pradhan thanked 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 in Chittagong and sought support to create a win-win situation for both sides.

Pradhan also discussed the Indo-Bangla Friendship Pipeline and described it as an important project for the two countries.

Pradhan will also meet Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, adviser on energy, power and mineral resources to the prime minister, and Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources.

He is accompanied by the CEOs of major public sector oil and gas companies and senior officials of his ministry.