B'desh looks to end offshore gas dispute with India, Myanmar
Bangladesh has decided to end offshore gas dispute with India and Myanmar through dialogue as the two neighours raised objections against exploration in several blocks bordering their maritime boundary
DHAKA: Bangladesh has decided to end offshore gas dispute with India and Myanmar through dialogue as the two neighours raised objections against exploration in several blocks bordering their maritime boundary, officials and reports said on Friday.
According to reports, the state-run Petrobangla prepared a letter to be sent to New Delhi and Yangon seeking to hold tripartite talks immediately as India recently categorically objected to exploration in eight offshore blocks close to its maritime border while Myanmar generally objected Bangladesh's exploration attempts in areas close to its maritime boundary.
"Bangladesh suggests that all exploration and extraction in the Bay of Bengal by the countries should be suspended until a decision is made. If India and Myanmar continue work and do not respond to our letter, Bangladesh will resume its activities as well," the private BDnews24 reported quoting an Energy Ministry official.
Petrobangla chairman Jalal Ahmed said they sent the draft letter to the Energy Ministry for review ahead of sending it to the two neighbouring countries through Foreign Ministry.
"The dispute should come to an end through discussion. Neither we nor they (India and Myanmar) will explore in disputed areas until a solution is found through talks," Chief Adviser's Special Assistant to Energy Ministry M Tamim said.
The objections came as energy-starved Bangladesh initiated a move to explore the offshore blocks launching its first offshore bidding round earlier this year amid growing demands for gas and power.
Seven international oil companies last month submitted bids for 15 offshore blocks but Petrobangla sources said India recently also conveyed its objections in letters sent to the companies who submitted bids in the offshore blocks.
According to reports, the state-run Petrobangla prepared a letter to be sent to New Delhi and Yangon seeking to hold tripartite talks immediately as India recently categorically objected to exploration in eight offshore blocks close to its maritime border while Myanmar generally objected Bangladesh's exploration attempts in areas close to its maritime boundary.
"Bangladesh suggests that all exploration and extraction in the Bay of Bengal by the countries should be suspended until a decision is made. If India and Myanmar continue work and do not respond to our letter, Bangladesh will resume its activities as well," the private BDnews24 reported quoting an Energy Ministry official.
Petrobangla chairman Jalal Ahmed said they sent the draft letter to the Energy Ministry for review ahead of sending it to the two neighbouring countries through Foreign Ministry.
"The dispute should come to an end through discussion. Neither we nor they (India and Myanmar) will explore in disputed areas until a solution is found through talks," Chief Adviser's Special Assistant to Energy Ministry M Tamim said.
The objections came as energy-starved Bangladesh initiated a move to explore the offshore blocks launching its first offshore bidding round earlier this year amid growing demands for gas and power.
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Seven international oil companies last month submitted bids for 15 offshore blocks but Petrobangla sources said India recently also conveyed its objections in letters sent to the companies who submitted bids in the offshore blocks.
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