Bangladesh is planning to increase fuel imports from India as supplies from the Middle East face disruption due to the ongoing conflict.
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is set to visit New Delhi ahead of attending the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius.
During the visit, he is scheduled to hold meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on April 8.
This will be the first visit by a Bangladeshi minister since the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Diplomatic sources said the visit is expected to focus on energy cooperation, including discussions on increasing fuel supplies, particularly diesel. Talks may also be held with India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Bangladesh has traditionally relied on fuel imports from the Middle East, but recent disruptions have prompted efforts to diversify supply sources.
The visit is also expected to touch on Bangladesh’s nomination of Khalilur Rahman for president of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2026–2027 session, for which Dhaka may seek New Delhi’s support.
In addition, both sides are likely to discuss the future of the 1996 water-sharing agreement, which is nearing its expiration. Officials from the two countries have recently been conducting hydrological and technical evaluations.
Under the existing agreement, India is required to release water to Bangladesh as an upstream country. Discussions on a new framework may consider climate impacts on water flow, as well as the role of the West Bengal state government, whose consent would be necessary for any renewed agreement.
