DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has asked the United States to grant a special waiver allowing it to import Russian oil, arguing that access to discounted supplies could help the country manage energy shortages triggered by volatility in global markets following the war in the Middle East.
Finance and Planning Minister Ameer Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said the request was conveyed to U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen during a meeting in Dhaka on Wednesday, according to remarks the minister later shared with journalists.
Chowdhury said Bangladesh had asked Washington to consider granting it a similar arrangement to the temporary waiver previously provided to India, which allowed New Delhi to continue purchasing Russian crude despite Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The United States has already given India a temporary waiver to purchase Russian oil,” the minister said. “Bangladesh is also expecting a similar opportunity. If Bangladesh is given such a facility, it would be a major support for our economy.”
He added that U.S. officials indicated the request would be forwarded to authorities in Washington for consideration.
Bangladesh, a fast-growing South Asian economy of more than 170 million people, relies heavily on imported fuel to power its electricity sector, industries and transportation.
Fluctuations in global oil and gas prices have repeatedly strained the country’s foreign currency reserves and forced authorities to adopt energy rationing measures in recent years.
Chowdhury said the meeting also focused on broader concerns about instability in international energy markets. According to the minister, both sides discussed uncertainty surrounding global supplies of oil and natural gas and the implications for Bangladesh’s energy security.
Ensuring reliable energy supplies has become increasingly urgent for Dhaka as geopolitical tensions in multiple regions threaten to disrupt global trade flows and drive up fuel prices, analysts say.
Beyond energy issues, the minister said the talks also covered ways to expand economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States, including investment opportunities, trade relations and institutional capacity building within government agencies.
When asked whether the discussions included the possibility of a bilateral trade agreement, Chowdhury said no concrete decision had been reached.
“A trade agreement is a matter between two countries,” he said, adding that Bangladesh is exploring how any future arrangement could best serve its economic interests.
The minister also said the government is preparing contingency plans for different scenarios related to the Middle East conflict, including the possibility of a prolonged war that could further disrupt global energy markets.
“We are planning while considering whether the war will be short-term, medium-term, or prolonged,” he said, noting that such scenarios were discussed during the meeting.