1 week ago
India Weighs Diesel Request Against Stalled Bangladesh Projects
Bangladesh is short of energy and has asked India for more diesel.
India is studying whether it can provide the extra fuel.
Indian officials must consider India’s own fuel needs, refinery capacity and available supplies.
Some Indian sources say the fuel request could be discussed alongside unfinished projects that India is financing in Bangladesh.
These projects include roads, railways, ports and other infrastructure.
Many of the projects have moved slowly, and some may be cancelled.
Relations between the two countries are also tense because Sheikh Hasina remains in India.
India is also watching China’s growing interest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has asked India for additional diesel supplies amid an acute power shortage, and New Delhi is examining the request.
Indian sources said diesel discussions could be calibrated with progress on infrastructure projects financed through three Indian Lines of Credit.
The three credit lines total about $7.3 billion; 15 projects are complete, eight ongoing and roughly 11 proposed for cancellation.
Bangladesh has imposed earlier closing times for shops, malls and markets, while hospitals, pharmacies and restaurants are exempt.
Tensions include uncertainty over Tarique Rahman’s proposed India visit and India’s continued sheltering of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
- Who
- The governments of India and Bangladesh, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government, are involved; former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also central to the tensions.
- What
- India is considering Bangladesh’s request for additional diesel and may connect the decision to progress on stalled India-financed development projects.
- Where
- The discussions concern India and Bangladesh, including India-funded projects in Bangladesh.
- When
- The article was published on August 23, 2026; the request was confirmed as under examination earlier in the month.
- Why
- Bangladesh faces an acute power shortage, while India seeks movement on delayed projects and is considering its own diesel requirements, refining capacity and supply availability.
Bangladesh’s Energy Needs
India’s Conditions and Interests
Additional diesel supply
Bangladesh’s Energy Needs
Bangladesh is seeking more diesel to address an acute power shortage and maintain essential economic activity.
India’s Conditions and Interests
India is examining the request while considering its own requirements, refining capacity and diesel availability.
Linking fuel to projects
Bangladesh’s Energy Needs
Bangladesh’s request is primarily an urgent energy matter, while the article does not report Dhaka agreeing to link it to infrastructure progress.
India’s Conditions and Interests
Indian sources said movement on diesel supplies and stalled India-financed projects could be calibrated together because concessions are not always made unilaterally.
Strategic role of projects
Bangladesh’s Energy Needs
The Rahman-led government faces uncertainty over projects whose implementation has been slow, including projects proposed for cancellation.
India’s Conditions and Interests
India wants the projects to proceed and is concerned that greater Chinese involvement in Bangladesh’s ports, connectivity and industrial infrastructure could expand China’s regional footprint.
Key facts
- Diesel request
- Bangladesh has asked India for additional diesel supplies.
- Credit lines
- India extended three Lines of Credit to Bangladesh totaling about $7.3 billion.
- Project status
- Fifteen projects are complete, eight are ongoing and about 11 have been identified for cancellation.
- Affected sectors
- The projects cover roads, railways, irrigation, shipping and ports.
- Energy measures
- Bangladesh has ordered shops, malls and markets to close by 8 pm; hospitals, pharmacies and restaurants are exempt.
- Diplomatic uncertainty
- No confirmed date has been set for Tarique Rahman’s proposed visit to New Delhi.
- Major tension
- Bangladesh’s government has repeatedly sought Sheikh Hasina’s extradition, while India continues to shelter her.
Quotes
A source familiar with the matter
Source familiar with India-Bangladesh project discussions
“Bangladesh’s request for more diesel could become part of wider bilateral discussions on the fate of India-funded infrastructure projects that remain stuck, with movement on the two issues potentially being calibrated together”
thehindubusinessline.com
“India is keen to go ahead with the projects as it has to be also watchful of China’s aspirations in Bangladesh”
thehindubusinessline.com
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal
Spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs
“We have an ongoing arrangement with Bangladesh on diesel supply. An additional request will be examined while keeping in mind our own requirement, refining capacity and also the availability of diesel here.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
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