Bangladesh Seeks Four Conditions Before Allowing India’s Power Transmission Corridor

In response to India’s renewed request, Bangladesh is considering four conditions before making a decision on the proposed transmission corridor. Dhaka wants clarification on whether electricity generated by damming the Brahmaputra River would flow through the proposed line, whether Bangladesh would be allowed to import cheaper hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan, how much electricity it could import through the line, and what the economic benefits would be for Bangladesh.

 

Following the Indian government’s request, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Power Division have prepared several documents on the issue.

 

According to government sources, Bangladesh is initially considering placing four conditions before India. If those conditions are met, Dhaka may take a positive decision on construction of the high-voltage transmission line.

 

The first and most important condition is that India must clarify whether electricity generated through dams on the Brahmaputra River would be transmitted through the proposed line. Bangladesh is concerned that such projects could have significant adverse effects on northern Bangladesh during the dry season.

 

The second condition is that Bangladesh should be given the opportunity to build a separate grid connection to import low-cost hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.

 

Third, India must clearly specify how much electricity Bangladesh would be able to import through the proposed transmission line.

 

The fourth condition is that a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis must be conducted before the transmission line is routed through Bangladesh.

 

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi raised the proposed 765-kV grid line during a meeting with Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud on August 6.

 

After the meeting, Mahmud told Jugantor that Dhaka was not considering the proposal in the manner India had presented it.

 

“India wants to take the grid line through Bangladesh, but we are not thinking about it that way. Dhaka is considering a joint grid involving Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan. We want to discuss this framework,” he said.

 

Earlier, at the end of July, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrook visited New Delhi and held discussions with senior Indian officials on electricity-related issues. Several sources confirmed that the proposed transmission corridor was also discussed during those meetings.

 

Professor M Tamim, vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Independent University and an energy expert, recently told Jugantor that Bangladesh needs a regional grid connection with India, Nepal and Bhutan to strengthen energy security and meet growing electricity demand.

 

“Bangladesh urgently needs a grid line with India, Nepal and Bhutan to ensure energy security, particularly to meet electricity demand. Bangladesh can import electricity from whichever country can provide it at the lowest cost,” he said.

 

Dhaka’s position suggests that Bangladesh is open to greater regional electricity connectivity, but wants any transmission arrangement to deliver clear economic and energy-security benefits to the country rather than simply serving as a transit route for Indian power.