India keen on refinery in Sri Lanka, exporting petro items to Bangladesh: Dharmendra Pradhan

Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has expressed India’s interest in establishing refinery and bunkering operations in Sri Lanka and exuded confidence that both Sri Lanka and India would work in a spirit of partnership in the hydrocarbon sector. Besides, he hoped that India will once again be in a position to export petroleum products to Bangladesh with the commissioning of Paradip refinery.

The minister stated this during bilateral meetings with Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Energy Adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Anoma Gamage, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Development of Sri Lanka. Pradhan during his meeting with the Energy Adviser of Bangladesh conveyed India's commitment to work with the neighbouring country to further advance bilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Meanwhile, on investment proposals of Indian oil companies (IOC) in Bangladesh, Pradhan said their early implementation would create a win-win situation for both countries and sought cooperation from the Bangladesh government. In this regard, he expressed India’s keenness in setting up marketing infrastructure in Bangladesh. Pradhan also sought favourable consideration for transit of LPG to India’s Northeastern region through Bangladesh and noted that Indian PSUs were interested in participating in Bangladesh’s petroleum sector, including exploration, refinery expansion and related PMC works.