Bangladesh Seeks Fuel Boost from India as Diplomatic Ties Warm

Rahman held talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, including on energy cooperation| India News

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Bangladesh has sought to increase fuel purchases from India as Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made the new government's first ministerial visit to New Delhi, marking a further easing of strained relations between the two countries.

Rahman held talks with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, including on energy cooperation.

Bangladesh is heavily dependent on energy imports, which have been disrupted by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

The ministerial visit marks an early diplomatic outreach by the administration of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who took office in February following a landslide general election victory.

Discussions also covered easing travel restrictions and strengthening security cooperation.

India said visa procedures for Bangladeshis would be relaxed in the coming weeks.

The two countries had suspended visa services and India imposed port restrictions on some goods from Bangladesh following attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minorities.