Bangladesh Seeks US Permission to Buy Russian Oil

Bangladesh has formally requested special permission, or a temporary waiver, from the United States to purchase crude oil from Russia. Similar to the arrangements extended to India, Bangladesh hopes to secure comparable concessions, according to Finance and Planning Minister Ameer Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

The announcement came following a meeting on Wednesday, 11 March, at the Planning Ministry office in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen. Speaking to reporters after the discussion, Minister Chowdhury said that the United States had already granted India a temporary waiver to continue purchasing Russian oil and that Bangladesh seeks a similar arrangement.

He added, “We have conveyed that if Bangladesh is granted such a waiver, it will provide substantial support to our economy. The request has been forwarded to Washington, and now we await their response.”

The talks also addressed the current volatility in the global energy market. Minister Chowdhury highlighted that uncertainty in international oil and gas supplies has heightened the importance of energy security for Bangladesh. Ensuring uninterrupted access to fuel, he stressed, is now a key national priority.

In addition to energy issues, the meeting explored avenues to strengthen investment, trade, and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States. Enhancing the capacity and efficiency of various government institutions was also discussed.

When questioned about a potential trade agreement with the US, the Minister clarified that no specific decisions were reached during the meeting. “Trade agreements are matters between the two countries. While no concrete conclusion has been made, our focus remains on maximising Bangladesh’s national interest,” he explained.

Minister Chowdhury further elaborated on government preparations for prolonged international conflict scenarios. He said, “We are planning for every possible situation, whether a conflict is short-term, medium-term, or long-term. Today’s meeting included detailed discussions on these contingencies.”

The table below summarises key discussion points from the meeting:

The meeting reflects Bangladesh’s proactive approach to safeguarding its energy security and economic interests amid global uncertainties. By seeking the US waiver, the country aims to secure uninterrupted oil imports while exploring strategic cooperation with international partners.