Bangladesh to discuss offshore hunt dispute

Dhaka: Bangladesh has initiated a move to end an offshore gas dispute with India and Myanmar through immediate negotiations as the two neighbours raised objections against exploration in several blocks bordering their maritime boundary.

Officials yesterday said the state-run Petrobangla prepared a letter to be sent to New Delhi and Yangon seeking to hold tripartite talks as the objections came while the energy-starved country launched its first offshore bidding round earlier this year amid growing demands for gas and power.

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.

Petrobangla chairman Jalal Ahmad said they sent the draft letter to the energy ministry for review ahead of sending it to the two neighbouring countries through the foreign ministry.