Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum  and Natural Gas is visiting Bangladesh from 17-19 April 2016. The visit is aimed at following  up on the ambitious agenda set between India  and Bangladesh during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh  in June 2015.

On arrival in Dhaka Shri Pradhan called on  Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. He conveyed that the  India-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has become pragmatic and mature over  the last few years. He discussed all bilateral issues pertaining to hydrocarbon  sector between the two countries. Shri Pradhan referred to the supply of 2200 MT  High Speed Diesel (HSD) to Bangladesh from Siliguri Marketing Terminal of Numaligarh  Refinery Ltd (NRL) to Parbatipur Depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation  (BPC) in Bangladesh and said that India was planning to continue supply of HSD  in a sustainable manner. He noted the ongoing collaboration between companies  from both countries in the hydrocarbon sector ranging from trade in petroleum  products, exploration work and consultancy services. Shri Pradhan thanked Prime  Minister Sheik Hasina for 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 at Chittagong by IOCL and  sought favourable consideration for creating win-win situation for both sides. Shri  Pradhan also discussed the ‘Indo-Bangla  Friendship Pipeline’ and called it as an important project for both countries.

During his stay in Bangladesh, Shri  Pradhan will meet Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Adviser on Energy, Power and  Mineral Resources to the Prime Minister and Mr Nasrul Hamid, Minister of State  for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh. On 18th  April, Sh Pradhan will witness signing of an MoU on broad aspects of  cooperation in downstream oil and gas sector opportunities in Bangladesh  between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and BPC. He will also visit  Chittagong on 19th April to witness award of contract by Eastern  Refineries Ltd to Engineers India Limited (EIL) as Project Management and  Consultant for its 3 MMTPA refinery expansion project. He is accompanied by  CEOs of major Public Sector oil and gas companies and senior officials of his  Ministry.