Amid the ongoing global energy turbulence triggered by the Iran war, India has once again emerged as a crucial partner for Bangladesh by supplying 5,000 tonnes of diesel to help stabilize the country’s fuel supply. The delivery was made through the India-Bangladesh cross-border oil pipeline, a strategic project developed during the tenure of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The development has also revived debate within Bangladesh’s political landscape, particularly around the earlier criticism of the pipeline by opposition parties. Critics from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat‑e‑Islami Bangladesh had previously portrayed the project as a symbol of India’s supposed dominance over Bangladesh. At the time, opponents even accused Sheikh Hasina of acting as an “Indian agent” and alleged that the project compromised Bangladesh’s national interests.
Former Minister Counters Anti-India Narrative
Responding to the latest development, former information minister Mohammad Ali Arafat strongly criticized these claims. In a post on the social media platform X, Arafat reminded critics that when the pipeline project was initiated, opposition groups had accused the government of “selling the country to India.” According to him, the accusations were repeated relentlessly despite the absence of any evidence that the project harmed Bangladesh’s interests.
Arafat argued that the current diesel supply through the same pipeline has exposed the political propaganda surrounding the project. The fuel import, he said, has helped make Bangladesh’s energy supply chain smoother and more stable at a time when global markets are under severe pressure.
Political and Historical Context
The former minister also linked the anti-India narrative to historical political influences. He claimed that the idea of “Indian dominance” was originally promoted by pro-Pakistan groups during Bangladesh’s Liberation War and continues to be propagated by certain factions today.
According to Arafat, critics of Sheikh Hasina often label the friendship between Bangladesh and India as “Indian dominance,” even though the relationship has been built on cooperation and mutual benefit. He argued that such narratives reflect ideological leanings that still echo Pakistan-aligned political thinking.
Arafat further stated that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, numerous stories were circulated alleging Indian influence over Bangladesh’s policies. However, he emphasized that critics were never able to demonstrate a single bilateral agreement that undermined Bangladesh’s national interests. On the contrary, he maintained that Bangladesh gained several economic and strategic advantages through its engagement with New Delhi.
The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
The cross-border pipeline at the center of this debate is officially known as the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline. The project was inaugurated in 2023 by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina.
Stretching approximately 130 kilometers, the pipeline begins at the Numaligarh Refinery Limited near Siliguri in India and extends to the Parbatipur railhead depot in Bangladesh’s Dinajpur district. Before the pipeline became operational, diesel was transported to Bangladesh primarily by rail.
The project was built with financial assistance from India under a Line of Credit, at a cost of around ₹3.46 billion. On the day of its inauguration, about 9 million litres of diesel were delivered to Bangladesh through the pipeline, marking a new chapter in bilateral energy cooperation.
Strategic Significance
Beyond the immediate fuel supply, the pipeline represents a broader framework of energy security and regional connectivity between the two neighboring countries. For Bangladesh, it offers a faster, more reliable and cost-effective method of importing fuel. For India, it strengthens regional cooperation and reinforces its role as a key partner in South Asia’s energy network.
As the global energy crisis deepens, the recent diesel supply has once again highlighted how infrastructure projects built through long-term cooperation can provide crucial support during times of uncertainty.