India and Bangladesh Enter into New Era of Petroleum Trade

India and Bangladesh began a new era of petroleum trade with a special goodwill train loaded with High speed diesel from India to Bangladesh.

Flash points

• The 42 wagon rail rake is loaded with around 2500 MT High Speed Diesel
• It started off from Siliguri station to Parbatipur station over 516 kms
• It is a symbolic gesture of friendship and cooperation that exists between India and Bangladesh
• This is the first major petroleum consignment from India
• It is a part of the Sale-Purchase Agreement signed between NRL and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation(BPC)
• The agreement also includes joint initiative for construction of a 135 km long pipeline, with a capacity of 1 million Metric Ton per annum(MMTPA) from Siliguri to Parbatipur
• Presently Bangladesh gets its imports from Chittagong port and the new agreement is cost effective for Bangladesh
• The expansion of NRL refinery from 3 MMTPA to 9MMTPA will leave India enough stock to supply Bangladesh

Points to note

• Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas- Dharmendra Pradhan
• NRL- Numaligarh Refineries Limited(NRL)
• Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral resources, Government of Bangladesh– N.Hamid
• High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh– H V Shringla