Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday hoped that the import of fuel oil from India through pipeline will be started from next year.
“Bangladesh wanted to import oil from India through pipeline and hopefully it will start from the next year,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly Biswajit Daimary called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban. He was leading a four-member delegation.
PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the visit.
The 130-km India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL) project aims to export oil products from the Siliguri Marketing Terminal in West Bengal to Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina also said that the border haats between Bangladesh and India in different parts of the border between the two countries will resume their function as those were stopped during the coronavirus pandemic period.
Sheikh Hasina extended thanks to the delegation for visiting Bangladesh and said Bangladesh always wants and promotes good relation with the neighbours.
Referring to exchange of enclaves with India, she said the two neighbouring countries resolved many disputes through discussion.
Putting emphasis on regional cooperation, she said neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India's north-eastern states including Assam and Tripura can use Chattogram port and airport, and Syedpur airport for the mutual benefits.
Sheikh Hasina also pointed out the connectivity routes which were closed during the 1965 war and said, the routes are being opened in phases.
The Prime Minister also recalled with gratitude the contribution of the north-eastern states of India and the West Bengal for sheltering the freedom fighters and refugees from Bangladesh during 1971.
At the meeting, the Assam Legislative Assembly Speaker said they had a very good experience through visiting Bangladesh and the people of Assam will benefit through cooperation from the neighboring country.
The delegation stressed the need for strengthening people to people contact as well as trade and commerce in the region.
Biswajit Daimary said Assam wants cooperation in agriculture sector from the experts of Bangladesh as the country has huge experience in the sector.
He mentioned that peaceful environment is now prevailing in the north eastern region of India after Bangladesh extended cooperation to this end.
The delegation also appreciated Bangladesh's development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus was present.