India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) says the government is reviewing requests from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Maldives for the supply of refined petroleum products.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India remains a major exporter of refined petroleum products, particularly to neighbouring countries.
He noted that India has received a request from the government of Bangladesh for the supply of diesel, which is currently under consideration.
“India is a major exporter of refined petroleum products, especially to our neighbourhood. We have received a request from the government of Bangladesh for the supply of diesel, which is being examined,” Jaiswal said.
He added that India has been supplying diesel to Bangladesh from the Numaligarh refinery since 2007 through various modes, including waterways, rail transport and later through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.
According to Jaiswal, a sale and purchase agreement was signed in October 2017 between Numaligarh Refinery and the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation for the supply of high-speed diesel under mutually agreed terms.
He also noted that diesel exports to Bangladesh have largely continued since 2017, but future decisions will take into account India’s refining capacity, domestic requirements and the availability of diesel.
Jaiswal further stated that similar requests have been received from several other countries, including Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and these requests are also being examined while considering India’s domestic energy needs and supply availability. (IANS)
