India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline to be inaugurated on March 18

Staff Reporter :
India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline is going to be inaugurated on March 18 to transport fuel from the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) marketing terminal in Assam’s Siliguri to the Parbatipur depot of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) in Dinajpur.
Besides, India has withdrawn their objections regarding various Bangladeshi installations including setting up rail lines within 150 yards of Bangladesh-India borders.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen addressed journalists at the Foreign Ministry on Thursday, discussing his recent trip to India where he attended various preparatory events for the upcoming G-20 Summit scheduled to be held in Delhi in September.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi are set to virtually inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on March 18,” he said.
Momen noted that his recent visit to India was productive, as the two countries discussed ways to reduce border killings and to address the issue of establishments within 150 yards of No man’s land.
“India has withdrawn the objections concerning our various installations within 150 yards of the border. Now our work will be smoothen,” he said.
Due to Indian objections, the undergoing works of Akhaura Immigration Building, Kosba Railway Station and bridge construction over Salda River are stopped now.
Foreign Minister also said that he had again raised the border killing issues during his meeting in India.
“We have told them to keep their pledge. They don’t want border killing. We also don’t want anybody killed on the border,” he said.
Regarding the supply chain of the essential items imported from India, Momen said, “India will see this matter. This happens because the market situation is not known beforehand. They have agreed to see it. India wants us to stand with them. They said that Bangladesh is our best neighbour. They are very happy.”
About the participation of Bangladesh in the G-20 events, he said, “Before the G-20 Summit, India has arranged a number of events where we have placed our issues including food crisis, fuel security, economic crisis, development assistance, humanitarian assistance for Rohingyas. India has promoted us in every event. This is a big sign of friendship. We are grateful to India for it.”
When asked about a recent ‘Washington Post’ report concerning Dr. Yunus, Foreign Minister stated that Bangladesh has become a role model for development, which has been globally recognised.
“Those who do not want to see Bangladesh or its leader Sheikh Hasina succeed, are behind such reports. Sheikh Hasina is a determined and courageous leader, and any attempt to remove her from power would result in instability. The allegation is fictitious,” he stressed.
Regarding the return of BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed from Indian jail, Abdul Momen stated, “If he is a Bangladeshi citizen, he will return. We do have a set procedure for it. If anybody is convicted in foreign land, the person will come back after sentence. We are bringing back many Bangladeshi people after ending jail term in foreign land.”
Talking about meetings with several world leaders from the countries including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico, he said, “A number foreign ministers of various countries have expressed their willingness to enhance their ties with us. Mexico will soon open their embassy in Dhaka.”
About his talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he said, “It was a very constructive talk with him. We have developed a good rapport with the US. The Secretary of State said they would stand by us.”
About Bangladesh graduation from Least Developed Countries (LDC), he said, “We have vehemently said that Bangladesh would graduate from the LDC. But we will lose a number of facilities for it. This is not correct. We should be given ample times so that we can manage us after the graduation.”
“The pre-LDC opportunities should continue. The successful countries should be rewarded, not punished,” he continued.