Dhaka to Discuss How the Proposed Iran-India Undersea Pipeline Can Help Bangladesh

Dhaka will look into how the proposed Iran-India undersea gas pipeline can benefit Bangladesh.

According to a report published in Dhaka Tribune on Thursday, government is planning a high level meeting to discuss what the pipeline will mean for Bangladesh and to decide the next move.

Energy and Mineral Resources Development (EMRD) acting secretary Nazimuddin Chowdhury told the newspaper, “We will sit to review the matter on February 16.”

The proposed pipeline could help satisfy Bangladesh’s hunger for energy, but the deal must be carefully negotiated if Bangladesh is to benefit, energy experts told Dhaka Tribune. 

“If we can access the pipeline, we will be benefitted,” an EMRD official told the newspaper, asking not to be named, but added: “We have to be cautious when negotiating transmission charges and tariffs.”

With sanctions on Iran now lifted, Dhaka is keen to do business with Tehran. Earlier this month, Tufail Ahmad, Bangladesh’s commerce minister met with Iranian delegation in Dhaka on where cooperation in oil and gas sector was discussed. It was also announced that energy minister of Bangladesh will visit Iran in March to take the matter forward.