Bangladesh, India, Nepal near 'milestone' electricity trade deal

Arrangement hailed as step toward South Asian energy sustainability

20230622 India Nepal Bangladesh electricity trade

Bangladesh, India and Nepal are expected to soon finalize an agreement that would allow power sharing across Indian transmission lines. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)

FAISAL MAHMUD, Contributing writer

June 25, 2023 13:50 JST

DHAKA -- A South Asian power trade deal is poised to reshape the region's energy landscape, allowing Bangladesh to import hydroelectricity from Nepal through India's grid.

The proposed three-way pact is expected to be signed within the next month or so, after authorities from Bangladesh and Nepal recently finalized a deal with the Indian side on the use of a high-voltage transmission line, according to officials from Bangladesh's Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.