In an increasingly volatile world, where geopolitical conflicts disrupt global supply chains, India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy stands out as a model of proactive regional leadership. This approach prioritizes deep, mutually beneficial ties with South Asian neighbours—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives—through connectivity, trade, and crisis response. Nowhere is this more evident today than in India’s swift fuel supplies amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, which has triggered fuel shortages across the region. By stepping up as a reliable energy partner, New Delhi is not only averting economic crises in its backyard but also reinforcing trust and stability.
Recent actions speak volumes. On March 10th, India began pumping 5,000 metric tonnes of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh through the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, with another 5,000 tonnes following days later and plans for up to 45,000 tonnes more by April. This is part of a long-term agreement to supply 180,000 tonnes annually via the 131.5-km pipeline from Assam’s Numaligarh Refinery to Parbatipur in northern Bangladesh. Operational since 2023, the pipeline—inaugurated as a symbol of bilateral friendship—has slashed transportation costs and times compared to rail tankers, ensuring steady commercial fuel flows since 2007. Bangladesh, heavily reliant on Middle East imports, faced acute shortages; India’s intervention helped stabilize reserves without disrupting domestic priorities.
Similarly, on March 28th, India dispatched an emergency 38,000-metric-tonne fuel shipment to Sri Lanka—20,000 tonnes of diesel and 18,000 tonnes of petrol—via the Indian Oil Corporation’s Lanka IOC unit. This arrived in Colombo just days after Prime Minister Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed the disruptions caused by West Asia tensions. Sri Lanka’s president publicly thanked Modi for the “swift support,” underscoring how such aid prevents paralysis in essential services. This echoes India’s role during Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic meltdown, when New Delhi provided over $4 billion in assistance, including fuel, credit lines, and essentials—acting as the “first responder” when others hesitated.
The policy’s infrastructure backbone amplifies its impact. Nepal, almost entirely dependent on India for petroleum, benefits from the Motihari-Amlekhgunj pipeline—South Asia’s first cross-border oil link, operational since 2019. This 69-km project supplies diesel, petrol, and soon aviation fuel at lower costs, replacing cumbersome road tankers and supporting Nepal’s economy seamlessly. Bhutan receives similar reliable petroleum supplies, while power grid interconnections allow India to export electricity to Bangladesh (over 1,160 MW) and Nepal, and import hydropower from Bhutan. These initiatives under the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) framework exemplify long-term energy diplomacy.
Some might view this as charity, but the reality is strategic mutual benefit. India’s world-class refining capacity positions it as South Asia’s energy hub, exporting refined products worth billions annually—$2.39 billion in mineral fuels to Bangladesh alone in 2024. Supplies are commercial where possible, yet prioritized under Neighbourhood First when crises hit, factoring in India’s own needs. This builds goodwill, reduces neighbours’ vulnerability to distant suppliers, and counters external influences through tangible partnership. As MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted, requests from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are assessed responsibly, reflecting a policy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (collective participation and development).
In turbulent times, India’s actions prove that Neighbourhood First is no slogan—it delivers. By ensuring fuel continuity to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka today, just as it has for years, New Delhi fosters a resilient South Asia. This energy solidarity not only powers economies but cements India as the region’s anchor of stability, prosperity, and trust. As global uncertainties mount, such Neighbourhood-centric leadership offers a blueprint for cooperative security.
