India agrees to give Bangladesh 1000MW power

NEW DELHI: The much-expected SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity) has been finalised in the fifth SAARC energy ministers meeting here, according to a news agency.
The two-day meeting concluded here Friday with the assurance of ministers of SAARC countries to get the Framework Agreement approved from their respective governments so that it could be signed during the forthcoming SAARC Summit scheduled to be held in November, 2014 in Kathmandu, Nepal, it was said at a post-meeting press conference.
Indian coal and power minister Piyush Goyal, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources of Bangladesh Nasrul Hamid and power ministers of Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives and Afghanistan attended the press conference. Pakistan was refrained from attending the meeting.
Terming the meeting as a successful, Indian power minister finalisation of the framework agreement is a landmark progress in energy cooperation in SAARC region.
Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh is a power hungry country and if the framework agreement is implemented, Bangladesh will be able to solve its power crisis to a large extent.
Hamid said he had separate successful meetings with India, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives on the sideline.
During the meeting with his Indian counterpart, Hamid urged India to export 1000MW more power to Bangladesh and India responded positively and assured of enhancing the capacity of the grid to 3000MW.
Besides, India has also agreed to supply 500MW more power daily through Bahrampur-Bheramara Grid Line. India is currently giving Bangladesh 500MW daily through this grid.