What is India’s diesel diplomacy? This is how Bangladesh, which showed its eye in the midst of Iran crisis, was caught. Diesel Diplomacy: India Sends 5,000 Tonnes Diesel To Bangladesh Amid Fuel Crisis

Bangladesh fuel crisis, India Bangladesh energy relations: Fuel shortage in Bangladesh has created new concerns amid the escalating war in the Middle East and the global energy crisis. At such a time, India has tried to provide immediate relief by sending 5,000 metric tons of diesel to Bangladesh, but the question is arising whether this is ‘diesel diplomacy’. India and Bangladesh Can make relationships better again? Experts believe that this step is certainly important, but it alone cannot completely improve relations between the two countries.

Tension has increased in the Middle East after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which has the effect of global oil supply It is lying on. This has also had a direct impact on Bangladesh, because it depends on imports for a large part of its energy needs. Long queues are being seen at petrol pumps in many cities of the country. People are complaining that they are not able to get petrol or diesel as per their requirement. In view of the situation, the Bangladesh government has started contacting various countries to increase the supply of fuel. Amidst this crisis, India has supplied 5,000 metric tons of diesel to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is also seeking help from China

Bangladesh does not want to depend only on India to deal with the energy crisis. It has also sought help from China to ensure long-term energy supply. It is being told that the Energy Minister and State Minister of Bangladesh have recently discussed this issue with China’s Ambassador Yao Wen in Dhaka. It is clear from this that Bangladesh is exploring many options for its energy needs.

When will 5000 tonnes of diesel reach Bangladesh from India?

• India has supplied 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh under an earlier agreement between Numaligarh Refinery and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation.
• According to Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman Mohammad Rezanur Rahman, this diesel will reach Parbatipur depot in Dinajpur, northern district of Bangladesh, by Tuesday. This supply is being made under the annual agreement already signed between India and Bangladesh.
• On March 11, India’s High Commissioner Prannoy Kumar Verma met Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood Tuku in Dhaka on this issue. After the meeting, Tuku said that India is reviewing this proposal, but at present it itself is facing energy crisis.
• Bangladesh government has also demanded additional 50,000 metric tons of diesel from India. However, no final decision has been taken yet by India on this demand.

How is fuel reaching Bangladesh from India?

• Diesel from India is being sent through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which connects Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery to Bangladesh’s Parbatipur depot. The project was initiated in 2017-18 and was formally launched in 2023.
• Earlier fuel was supplied through railway tankers, but after the start of the pipeline, both the cost and time have reduced significantly.
• According to BPC officials, pumping started around 3:20 pm on Monday and about 113 tonnes of oil is being sent through the pipeline every hour. This consignment of 5,000 tonnes of diesel will completely reach Bangladesh in about 44 hours.
• According to the agreement between India and Bangladesh, India will give about 1,80,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh every year through pipeline. The current consignment of 5,000 tonnes is the first part of this agreement.
• According to the BPC Chairman, about 90,000 tonnes of diesel will be sent in the next six months so that the fuel shortage in Bangladesh can be immediately addressed. The government aims to procure the entire quantity of diesel fixed for six months in the next two months.

Why did the fuel crisis deepen in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh imports about 95 percent of its energy needs, the bulk of which comes from countries in the Middle East, but US-Israel-Iran tensions and rising risks in the Strait of Hormuz have hit global oil supplies. Its effect has also been seen in Bangladesh. Long queues have formed at petrol pumps in many cities and the government has had to set limits on the sale of fuel at some places. Sales have been limited to 10 liters for motorcycles and 40 liters for cars.

Energy relations came under tension after Sheikh Hasina government

Energy cooperation between India and Bangladesh has also been affected by political reasons for some time. The interim government formed after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government in August 2024 had started reviewing several energy agreements signed with India. These included an agreement to import 1,320 MW of electricity from Adani’s power plant in Jharkhand, on which there was a dispute over prices in Bangladesh. Due to non-payment of dues in November 2024, Adani had halved the power supply, however, after the payment started in March 2025, the supply became normal again. Many gas, LNG and renewable energy projects also slowed down during the period of political uncertainty.

What do experts say?

• Former Foreign Secretary of India Shashank says that India’s policy has always been ‘Neighborhood First’. Its priority is to help neighboring countries. However, he also says that in the current circumstances, India will have to take decisions keeping in mind its interests and needs. According to him, “It is not yet clear how long the war will last. There are concerns about gas shortage and energy in India too. Therefore, the government will have to take a decision keeping all the aspects in mind.”
• Dr. Kanika Rakhra, an expert in international relations at Kautilya School of Public Policy, believes that ‘Diesel Diplomacy’ can be a positive step, but it alone will not completely improve India-Bangladesh relations.
• According to Kanika Rakhra, anti-India sentiments have increased in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government and her being given asylum in India. In such a situation, diesel supply can definitely be a way to reduce tension, but diplomacy also has many other aspects.
• Dr. Rakhra says that back-channel talks are also going on between the two countries. Recently, military intelligence officers of Bangladesh visited India and the national security advisors of both the countries also met.
• Experts say that if China provides large amount of fuel or financial aid to Bangladesh, then Dhaka may be inclined towards it. Therefore, India will have to keep a constant eye on the situation. However, experts also believe that Bangladesh is a sovereign country and will take decisions based on its interests.

According to analysts, India will have to adopt a balanced strategy. On one hand it has to help the neighboring country, while on the other hand it has to protect its energy interests and domestic needs. This is the reason why India is currently considering additional diesel demand from Bangladesh. If India helps Bangladesh in times of crisis, it will definitely send a positive message to the relations between the two countries, but ‘diesel diplomacy’ alone will not be enough to keep relations strong in the long run.