India- Bangladesh energy talks to begin today

New Delhi, Nov 18 (ANI): Bangladesh Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad is visiting New Delhi on Wednesday to hold a preliminary round of energy cooperation talks ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's India visit next month.

Azad, who is also accompanied by a delegation, will hold preparatory talks with Indian Power Ministry officials.

Interacting with the media, Azad said the delegation would discuss the modus operandi of importing at least 100 megawatts power from India as offered during the September visit of Foreign Minister Dipu Moni to New Delhi.

Besides, the Bangladesh delegation is expected to hold talks on equity sharing in a power project in Tripura as Dhaka had earlier agreed to offer overland transport facilities through Bangladesh for carrying equipment for the installation.

Azad said the talks with Indian officials would also include the SAARC power grid connectivity and other issues of concern to the people of both countries.

Bangladesh has been reportedly calling for the setting up of a SAARC Grid to facilitate availability of cheap hydropower from Nepal or Bhutan.

The Bangladesh delegation is also likely to discuss future cooperation for human resources and technical development between the Bangladesh Power Development Board and its Indian counterpart state-run power producer.

Setting up of a joint technical team to scrutinize the issue of power inter-connectivity between India and Bangladesh and review the modalities of power purchase on short-term and long-term basis is also likely to figure during the five day talks. (ANI)