The operation of  the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline will put in place a sustainable, reliable, cost-effective and environment friendly mode of transporting HSD from India to Bangladesh, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.

It will further enhance cooperation in energy security between the two countries, according to the MEA.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline on 18 March via video-conference.

This is the first cross border energy pipeline between India and Bangladesh, built at an estimated cost of INR 377 crore, of which the Bangladesh portion of the pipeline built at a cost of approx. INR 285 crore, has been borne by the government of India under grant assistance.

The Pipeline has a capacity to transport 1 Million Metric Ton Per Annum (MMTPA) of High-Speed Diesel (HSD).

It will supply High Speed Diesel initially to seven districts in northern Bangladesh.