DHAKA, Sept 5: New Delhi on Monday raised objection to linking Dhaka’s three conditions with the proposed tri-nation gas pipeline from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh, while Dhaka continued to stick to its earlier stance on the conditions. The visiting Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, at a meeting with Bangladeshi Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser, Mahmudur Rahman, said that no bilateral issues could be linked with the project.

Mr Mahmud raised at the meeting three issues that Dhaka wants Delhi to resolve before reaching any agreement on the pipeline. The issues include reduction of trade gap between two countries, a corridor to import hydro-electric power from Nepal and Bhutan through India, and transit rights through India for supply of goods to and from the two Himalayan nations.

“We told the Indian delegation that the three issues were important for the economy of Bangladesh and India would also get benefit from them,” he said.