India dispatches first diesel consignment to Myanmar

India on Monday sent the first consignment of 30 tonnes of high speed diesel to Myanmar by land route, symbolising the growing hydrocarbon engagement between the two countries.

Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), which has been supplying HSD to Bangladesh, despatched the first diesel consignment through NH 37 across the Moreh Custom Check Point on the Indian side and Tamu Custom Check Point on the Myanmar side.

Supply of diesel consignment to Myanmar is another step in realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enhance hydrocarbon synergy with neighbouring countries as well as promoting India's Act East Policy.

NRL has entered into an agreement with Parami Energy Group of Companies for the supply of diesel and collaboration in the retail petroleum sector of Myanmar. 

NRL refinery, situated 420 km from the India-Myanmar border, is ideally suited to supply diesel to Northern Myanmar where connectivity is a challenge, particularly in the rainy season.

Minister of petroleum and natural gas Dharmendra Pradhan visited Myanmar in February this year during which he discussed opportunities for collaboration in the oil and gas sector, including setting up of LNG terminal, retail marketing, refurbishment of refineries, participation in upstream sector and capacity building.

ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), GAIL India Ltd. and Oil India Ltd. have assets in the upstream sector as well as pipelines. In their effort to strengthen the oil and gas engagement, more Indian companies are planning to set up their offices in Myanmar soon. OVL has an office in Yangon.

NRL has already exported 1,700 tonnes of paraffin wax to Myanmar.

India also contributed handmade wax candles to the 2500 year old Shwedagon Pagoda earlier this year.