Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on January 16, 2026, that Assam is eager to supply its excess electricity to Bangladesh, routing it through Tripura’s established infrastructure. Speaking at a press conference in Agartala, Saha revealed that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed this willingness during their discussions on Thursday evening. The two leaders met over dinner at Saha’s official residence, where they addressed bilateral issues including energy cooperation and connectivity. This development signals a potential expansion of cross-border power trade in India’s Northeast region.

Tripura has been exporting electricity to Bangladesh since March 2016, starting with 100 MW from the ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC) plant in Gomati district. The supply, managed under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), has occasionally reached up to 160 MW and was renewed twice after the initial agreement. An official from the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) confirmed the ongoing arrangement, noting that the current MoU is set to expire in March 2026, with possibilities of further extension. Recently, Bangladesh requested an increase to at least 250 MW to meet its rising demand, though a final decision is pending.

The proposal from Assam follows Tripura’s successful model of power export, highlighting surplus generation in both states. Saha emphasized that routing Assam’s excess power through Tripura would build on existing transmission links, strengthening regional energy ties. This comes amid broader efforts to enhance Northeast India’s role in sub-regional cooperation, including potential future exports to Nepal as mentioned by Tripura’s Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath. Such initiatives underscore the strategic importance of energy diplomacy between India and its eastern neighbor.

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Beyond power, the Chief Ministers discussed infrastructure improvements, particularly the urgent widening of the National Highway connecting Tripura and Assam at Churaibari in North Tripura. Saha highlighted how the narrow stretch causes severe congestion for trucks, buses, and other vehicles, hampering trade and mobility. Widening this vital corridor would facilitate smoother inter-state movement and support economic growth in the region.

The announcement arrives against a backdrop of occasional tensions in India-Bangladesh relations, including recent concerns over minority safety. However, the focus on mutual benefit through energy sharing demonstrates continued commitment to pragmatic bilateral engagement. As discussions progress on MoU renewal and potential capacity increases, this collaboration could pave the way for deeper economic integration in South Asia’s power sector.

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