India begins diesel supply to Bangladesh amid Middle East energy tensions

Wednesday 11 March 2026 - 12:00

India has begun supplying diesel to Bangladesh through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline (BIFP), as global energy markets face uncertainty linked to rising tensions in the Middle East.

According to media reports, approximately 5,000 metric tons of diesel were pumped from the Numaligarh Refinery in the Indian state of Assam on Monday. The fuel shipment is expected to arrive in Dinajpur, northern Bangladesh, in about 44 hours through the cross-border pipeline.

The Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline, inaugurated in 2023, was designed to facilitate the efficient transport of refined petroleum products from India to Bangladesh. The infrastructure project aims to reduce transportation costs and improve the reliability of fuel supply to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh relies heavily on imported fuel and has limited strategic oil reserves, depending largely on operational storage and regular imports to meet domestic demand. In response to current energy pressures, India is expected to deliver a total of around 180,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh through the pipeline after Dhaka reportedly requested additional supplies.

Authorities in Bangladesh have also implemented measures to manage fuel consumption. These include temporary nationwide school closures and fuel rationing, while long queues have been reported at several fuel stations across the country.

The move comes as energy markets react to heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes launched by Israel and the United States against Iran in late February. Iran later responded with drone and missile attacks targeting several locations in the region.

The situation has also affected maritime energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a key global chokepoint for oil shipments. The waterway normally handles about 20 million barrels of oil per day and roughly one-fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade, making any disruption a significant concern for global energy supply chains.

Analysts say regional instability and potential supply disruptions have increased pressure on energy-importing countries, prompting governments to seek alternative supply arrangements and strengthen regional cooperation.