India has assured help to Bangladesh in meeting its energy demand, as the South Asian country grapples with acute power shortage. New Delhi will supply additional fuel to Bangladesh but this will be subject to first meeting the domestic demand.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing a joint press conference with his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi said that rising energy prices are becoming a challenge for all developing countries. Hasina, who was on a four day tour to India, returned to Dhaka today.

According to Dhaka based newspaper, Prothom Alo, India has also assured supply of rice, wheat and other daily essential products as well when required. “But for that Bangladesh has to inform India of its demand earlier. Then India will export a set amount of the goods after fulfilling its domestic demand,” the newspaper report said.

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Meanwhile, India has also extended about $9.5 billion to Bangladesh in concessional loans.

The two sides decided to start negotiations on the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as well.

With the expansion of connectivity between our two countries, and the development of trade infrastructure on the border, the two economies will be able to connect more with each other, support each other. Our bilateral trade is growing rapidly. Today, India is the largest market in Asia for Bangladesh’s exports. To further accelerate this growth, we will soon start discussions on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement,” Modi said.