A recent deal allowing Bangladesh to buy 180,000 tonnes of diesel from India’s Numaligarh Refinery at a wholesale price of about ₹51 per litre has caused a big stir in India. People are upset because the same diesel costs around ₹88 per litre at pumps here. This comes at a time when reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are making headlines almost every day. Many Indians feel it’s not right to give such a good deal to a neighbor where minorities, especially Hindus, are facing trouble. The agreement is part of an old energy pact from 2017, but the timing has made it a hot topic on social media and in politics.
The story started when Bangladesh’s government approved the import on January 6, 2026. The diesel will come through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, a 130-km line built to make fuel transport easy and cheap. Bangladesh will pay about 14.62 billion Taka, which is roughly $119 million or 10.79 billion Indian rupees. This works out to around ₹50.95 per litre, much less than what Indians pay after taxes. Critics say this shows favoritism, especially with over 50 attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh since December 2025. Supporters argue it’s just business and helps India earn money from extra refinery capacity.
Background of the Diesel Deal
The deal is not new. It comes from a 15-year government-to-government agreement signed in October 2017 between India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a part of Oil India Limited, and Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). NRL is in Assam’s Golaghat district and makes low-sulphur diesel. The pipeline, finished in December 2022 and started in March 2023, carries the fuel from Siliguri in West Bengal to Bangladesh. It was built with Indian help and costs less to run than old ways like trains or trucks.
Under this pact, Bangladesh gets diesel at a base price linked to world markets, plus a fixed premium of $5.50 per barrel. For 2026, the base is $83.22 per barrel, but it can change. The total for 180,000 tonnes is fixed after talks. Sources like Prothom Alo and The Business Standard confirm this is a bulk wholesale deal, without the taxes and shop margins that push up prices in India. In India, about half the pump price is taxes from the center and states. For example, in Delhi, diesel is ₹87.67 per litre, but the base cost at the refinery is closer to ₹44-50 before taxes.
Officials in India say this export uses spare capacity at NRL and brings in foreign money. “It’s a win for both sides,” said a source from the Petroleum Ministry. Bangladesh needs cheap fuel because its economy is struggling, and India wants to keep good ties in the region. But many ask why India can’t cut taxes at home if it can sell cheap abroad.
Public Anger in India
The news spread fast on social media after All India Radio posted about it on January 7, 2026. People quickly did the math. One user, @_kumbhkaran, shared a video saying India sells diesel to Bangladesh at ₹51 per litre but to its own people at ₹88. “Make it make sense,” he wrote. The post got over 11,000 likes and thousands of shares. Others linked it to attacks on Hindus. “Kanglus are killing Hindus and Mr. Sabka Sath Sabka Bakwas is sending them diesel so that they can burn them even more quickly,” said @MeroSeroPhero.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal jumped in. On January 8, 2026, he posted: “Prime Minister Modi must clarify… India is a strong, sovereign nation. Our foreign policy must reflect confidence and self-respect.” He questioned the price gap, saying it’s unfair when Indians pay more. Supporters of the deal fired back. “There are no taxes on export,” said @PappuPagerNRI. “We cannot compare our massive economy to Bangladesh… It’s strategic to maintain influence.”
Many posts showed anger mixed with worry about Hindus in Bangladesh. “Modi has made a fool out of Hindus,” wrote @Desi_Chakhna. “Is Modi rewarding them for killing Hindus?” The outrage grew because of recent killings. On January 5, 2026, two Hindus were murdered in 24 hours: journalist Rana Pratap Bairagi in Jessore and shop owner Sharat Chakraborty in Narsingdi.
Rising Attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
The diesel deal has brought fresh attention to violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Since Sheikh Hasina’s government fell in August 2024, things have gotten worse. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) says there were 2,673 cases of attacks from August to November 2024, with 82 Hindus killed. In December 2025 alone, they reported 51 incidents, including 10 murders.
Recent cases are shocking. In Chittagong, 12-year-old Hindu girl Shrabanti Ghosh was raped and killed after her family refused to convert and marry her to a 49-year-old man. In Mymensingh, Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and burned over blasphemy claims. Other killings include Prantos Karmakar in Narsingdi on December 2, 2025, and Utpal Sarkar in Faridpur on December 5. Ain o Salish Kendra, a rights group, reported 3,679 attacks on Hindus from 2013 to 2021, showing it’s an old problem.
Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has said these are not religious attacks but common crimes. “Crimes happen everywhere, not because of religion,” he told reporters in December 2025. But rights groups disagree. “It’s targeted,” said a BHBCUC spokesperson. “Homes, temples, and businesses are looted and burned.” India has raised concerns. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said in December 2024: “We expect Bangladesh to protect minorities.” After talks, Bangladesh arrested 77 people for 88 cases of anti-Hindu violence.
Exiled leader Sheikh Hasina has blamed the Yunus government. “Bangladesh is becoming unsafe for minorities,” she said from India. “Perpetrators are not punished.” Some say politics plays a role, with Hindus seen as supporters of Hasina’s Awami League.
Government and Expert Responses
India’s government defends the deal. “It’s under a long-term pact from 2017,” said a Petroleum Ministry official. “We earn foreign exchange and use surplus.” NRL’s capacity is high, and exports help. But critics want conditions. “Link aid to minority safety,” said BJP leader Tathagata Roy on X. “Every day one Hindu is taken out… India must act.”
Experts say the price difference is normal. “Exports are tax-free wholesale,” said energy analyst Narendra Taneja. “India buys crude cheap from Russia and refines it. Selling to Bangladesh at ₹51 is profit.” Bangladesh adds its own taxes, so consumers there pay about ₹81 per litre, close to India.
On violence, human rights expert Rana Dasgupta from BHBCUC said: “Hindus feel like second-class citizens. We need international help.” Poland’s Foreign Minister, during a visit with Jaishankar, praised India for cutting Russian oil but didn’t touch Hindu issues.
Economic and Strategic Angles
The deal is worth $119 million to India, small but part of bigger ties. India exports fuel to neighbors like Bhutan and Nepal too, often at discounts for goodwill. “It’s neighborhood first,” said a diplomat. But with elections in Bangladesh on February 12, 2026, violence might rise. “Jihadis feel bold,” said analyst Aakar Patel on X.
India’s fuel policy is key. Deregulation in 2014 lets prices follow markets, but taxes stay high for revenue. “Taxes fund roads and welfare,” said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a past statement. Yet, people ask why not cut them if exports are cheap.
Impact on Indo-Bangla Relations
Ties were good under Hasina, but now strained. India worries about China gaining ground if it stops deals. “Strategic necessity,” said one X user. But public mood is sour. “Stop helping those who hurt Hindus,” many say.
The pipeline, cost $100 million mostly from India, shows commitment. But attacks make it hard. “Balance trade and rights,” urged Kejriwal.
This diesel deal has opened old wounds. It’s business for governments, but for people, it’s about fairness and safety. As attacks continue, India faces tough choices. Will it push Bangladesh harder on minorities? Or keep trade flowing? The answer could shape ties for years.
FAQs
1. What is the India-Bangladesh diesel deal about?
The deal lets Bangladesh import 180,000 tonnes of diesel from India’s Numaligarh Refinery from January to December 2026. It costs 14.62 billion Taka ($119 million). The price is about ₹51 per litre wholesale, without taxes. It’s under a 2017 15-year pact and uses the Friendship Pipeline for easy supply. Bangladesh needs it for fuel needs, and India benefits from exports.
2. Why is the diesel cheaper for Bangladesh than for Indians?
It’s a bulk wholesale deal, so no retail taxes or shop costs. In India, central excise and state VAT make up half the ₹88 pump price. Exports are tax-free to boost trade. Bangladesh adds its taxes, so their consumers pay about ₹81 per litre, similar to India.
3. Is India losing money on this deal?
No. India buys crude cheap (from Russia, etc.) and refines it. The ₹51 price is profit over base costs of ₹44-50. It earns foreign money and uses extra refinery space. Experts say it’s good for economy and ties.
4. How many attacks on Hindus have happened in Bangladesh recently?
Since August 2024, over 2,000 incidents, with 82 Hindus killed up to November. In December 2025, 51 cases, including 10 murders. Examples: Shrabanti Ghosh raped/killed in Chittagong, Dipu Chandra Das lynched in Mymensingh. Groups like BHBCUC track this, saying it’s targeted.
5. What is the Bangladesh government saying about the attacks?
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus says they are not religious but regular crimes. His government arrested 77 in 88 cases after India’s push. But rights groups say denial helps attackers. Ex-PM Hasina calls it a threat to secularism.
6. What has India done about the violence?
India raised it in talks. Foreign Secretary visited in December 2024. Minister Jaishankar said Bangladesh must protect minorities. But no big steps like stopping deals yet. Public pressure is growing.
7. Why does Arvind Kejriwal criticize the deal?
He says it’s unfair to Indians paying more, especially with attacks on Hindus. “Clarify the pricing,” he posted. He wants strong foreign policy showing self-respect.
8. Is the deal linked to attacks on Hindus?
Not directly. It’s an old energy pact. But critics say India should tie aid to minority safety. Supporters say trade and rights are separate, but violence makes it hard.
9. What is the Friendship Pipeline?
A 130-km line from India to Bangladesh, built with Indian funds, operational since 2023. It cuts costs and time for fuel transport, part of closer ties.
10. Will this affect fuel prices in India?
Unlikely. India’s prices depend on global crude, taxes, and policy. Exports are small. But anger might push talks on tax cuts.