India, Bangladesh & Myanmar on the map (© Shutterstock/TonelloPhotography)Bangladesh has proposed importing natural gas from neighbouring Myanmar through a cross-border pipeline to revive bilateral energy cooperation and address mounting domestic energy shortages. During the discussion, Bangladesh expressed strong interest in building a gas pipeline connecting Myanmar directly to Chattogram, reviving an earlier regional infrastructure proposal. "Bangladesh faces substantial and growing demand for natural gas," Mahmood told the envoy, emphasizing that direct pipeline imports from Myanmar offer a practical solution to secure stable energy supplies. Declining domestic natural gas production has left Bangladesh increasingly reliant on expensive imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel power generation facilities, sustain manufacturing industries, and supply residential consumers. Bangladeshi officials highlighted that the proposed energy conduit aligns with broader regional integration efforts.