India-Bangladesh Ties Moving Positively: New Delhi

India on Tuesday said its relationship with Bangladesh is moving in a “positive direction” and confirmed that New Delhi continues to meet Dhaka’s additional fuel demands amid the ongoing energy crisis linked to the Middle East conflict.

Speaking at a media briefing in New Delhi, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said both countries have maintained constructive engagement through recent high-level visits and cooperation.

“We have already indicated that we are taking the relationship with Bangladesh in a positive direction,” he said.

Jaiswal noted that Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman recently visited New Delhi, while Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha Om Birla travelled to Dhaka.

“That reflects the present trajectory of relations between the two countries,” he added.

His comments came in response to questions regarding reports of protests in Bangladesh against the import of Indian goods and concerns surrounding the outcome of the recent West Bengal assembly elections, in which the BJP secured victory.

On energy cooperation, Jaiswal said India has continued supplying fuel to neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline.

"We have been supplying diesel to Bangladesh through the high-speed diesel friendship pipeline. Bangladesh also made additional requests, which we have met and continue to meet,” he said.

He added that India is also supplying energy products to Bhutan and Nepal under existing agreements, while support has been extended to Sri Lanka. Discussions are also underway regarding possible arrangements with Mauritius.

Jaiswal further said Nepal recently requested fertiliser supplies from India and that the matter is being processed under the existing framework of bilateral cooperation.

Responding to a question regarding illegal migration, he said the issue remains under discussion between Dhaka and New Delhi.

“This is a subject of ongoing conversation between India and Bangladesh,” he said.

The spokesperson also said India is awaiting Bangladesh’s response regarding nationality verification of more than 2,860 individuals whose names were shared with Dhaka by New Delhi.

Replying to a separate question about Khalilur Rahman’s recent visit to China, Jaiswal said India closely monitors regional developments but stressed that its ties with neighbouring countries remain independent.

“As practitioners of diplomacy, we closely follow developments around us. However, India’s relationships with its neighbours stand on their own,” he added.