20 March, 2023: Did you know about the friendship pipeline between India and Bangladesh ? Read to know more.
The first energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, popularly known as the "Friendship Pipeline", was launched via video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi equivalent Sheikh Hasina. According to PM Modi, the pipeline will improve communication between the two nations' energy security programmes.
The cost of the first cross-border friendship pipeline, which was built at an estimated cost of ₹377 crore, was covered by the Indian government through grant aid for the Bangladeshi side of the pipeline, which cost about ₹285 crore.
Speaking at the occasion, Prime Minister Modi declared that the opening of the Friendship Pipeline has begun a new beginning in ties between India and Bangladesh.
“In the last few years, under the able leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress. Every Indian is proud of that and we are delighted that we've been able to contribute to this development journey of Bangladesh,” PM Modi said.
The pipeline, with a carrying capacity of one million metric tonnes of high-speed diesel annually , will first supply high-speed diesel to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.
The collaborative initiative is a direct reflection of PM Modi's "Sonar Bangla" [literally meaning Golden Bengal] vision, he added, pointing out that the inauguration took place a day after the birth anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh and the father of the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.