Archive · 14 Aug 2026
India Examines Bangladesh Diesel Request, Silent on Rahman Visit
Bangladesh is a country next to India that is having trouble getting enough gas and fuel to keep its lights on and shops running.
Because of this, Bangladesh asked India to send more diesel, a fuel used for power, through a pipeline that connects the two countries.
India said it is thinking about the request and will decide later, while making sure it has enough diesel for its own people first.
Because energy is scarce, Bangladesh ordered shopping malls, markets, shops, and cultural events to close by 8 pm.
At the same time, the two countries are having some disagreements.
Bangladesh's leader, Tarique Rahman, was invited to a big meeting in India called the BRICS summit, but he probably will not go.
Also, Bangladesh's former leader, Sheikh Hasina, who now lives in India, gave a speech that was unkind about Bangladesh.
That made Bangladesh upset with India.
India's top diplomat in Bangladesh met with Rahman to talk things over.
Both sides hope that talking can help them solve their problems and be friends again.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said it is 'examining' Bangladesh's request for additional diesel supplies, considering India's own requirements, refining capacity, and diesel availability.
Bangladesh asked India for more diesel through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline amid an energy crisis caused by disruptions in gas and fuel supplies.
Under restrictions announced this week, shopping malls, markets, shops, fairs, and cultural programmes in Bangladesh must close by 8 pm.
New Delhi declined to comment on whether Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would attend the BRICS summit or a bilateral meeting next month.
Tensions follow former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's speech in New Delhi critical of Bangladesh's conditions, which Dhaka said hurt public sentiment and threatened bilateral ties.
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs and spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh power minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, India's High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.
- What
- India is examining Bangladesh's request for additional diesel supplies while diplomatic tensions simmer over Sheikh Hasina's recent speech and uncertainty over Tarique Rahman's visit to India.
- When
- The MEA statement was made on Friday; Bangladesh's restrictions were announced this week; India's invitation was sent in July; the BRICS summit is expected in September.
- Where
- New Delhi, India, and Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Why
- Bangladesh faces a major energy crisis due to disruptions in gas and fuel supplies, and bilateral relations are strained after Sheikh Hasina's critical speech in New Delhi.
India's stance
Bangladesh's stance
Sheikh Hasina's speech
India's stance
India allowed the speech by former PM Sheikh Hasina, who lives in India, and did not bar its delivery.
Bangladesh's stance
Dhaka sharply criticised India for allowing remarks it said hurt public sentiment and threatened efforts to improve bilateral relations.
Diesel supply request
India's stance
India says it will examine the request keeping in mind its own requirements, refining capacity, and availability of diesel.
Bangladesh's stance
Bangladesh, facing a major energy crisis, has asked India to increase diesel supplies and needs additional fuel urgently.
Tarique Rahman's visit to India
India's stance
India extended an invitation for the BRICS summit and a bilateral meeting, with dialogue hoped to help resolve outstanding problems.
Bangladesh's stance
Rahman is unlikely to attend the BRICS summit despite the invitation, amid fresh tensions between the two countries.
- Diesel request
- Bangladesh requested additional diesel supplies from India via the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline
- India's response
- MEA said the request is being 'examined' considering India's requirements, refining capacity, and diesel availability
- Energy crisis
- Disruptions in gas and fuel supplies triggered a major energy crisis in Bangladesh
- New restrictions
- Shopping malls, markets, shops, fairs, and cultural programmes ordered to close by 8 pm
- BRICS summit
- Tarique Rahman is unlikely to attend the September summit despite India's invitation
- Invitation
- Extended by PM Narendra Modi in July via India's High Commission in Dhaka; Rahman invited as BIMSTEC chair special guest
- Diplomatic tension
- Dhaka criticised India for allowing Sheikh Hasina's speech, saying it hurt public sentiment and threatened bilateral ties
- Key meeting
- India's High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi met Tarique Rahman this week