Signed in 2018, the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project (IBFPL) is all set to connect Siliguri in West Bengal in India and Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.

Meant for importing diesel from India the 131.5 kilometre long pipeline will start supplying diesel to Bangladesh from June. While 126.5 km of the pipeline is in Bangladesh, 5 km is in India. The IBFPL project aims to facilitate the transportation of imported fuel oil and reduce its transport costs for Bangladesh

The IBFPP will export fuel from Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) via the Siliguri Marketing Terminal to Bangladesh.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the IBFPL was held in September 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina through video conferencing.

Pre-commissioning of Diesel Imports
Pre-commissioning of diesel imports through IBFPL is underway. The international pipeline will carry diesel from the Siliguri based marketing terminal of the Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to Parbatipur depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

In 2020, there was a year on year increase of 14%, in the bilateral trade between the two countries. 

131.5 -km India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) for cross-border transportation of energy is likely to start supplying diesel to Bangladesh from June. 

The IBFPL pipeline has a capacity of one million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) and is being constructed under grant assistance from the government of India.

India and Bangladesh are also in talks for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

In 2021-22, Bangladesh has emerged as the largest trade partner for India in South Asia and the fourth largest destination for Indian exports worldwide.

Key Takeaways
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project is a 131.5 kilometre long pipeline that runs from Siliguri based marketing terminal of the Assam-based Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) to Parbatipur depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).