PM Modi, Bangladesh PM Hasina to inaugurate India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline via video-conference on Saturday (March 18, 2023).

This is the first cross-border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore.

The cost of the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline - approximately INR 285 crore - has been borne by the Government of India under grant assistance, the Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Thursday.

The Pipeline has a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD). It will supply High Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.

"The operation of India- Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh and will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries," the PMO said.