Last Updated on April 5, 2026 6:41 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Rejecting speculation over Bangladesh’s energy diplomacy, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Sunday said there is no undisclosed agreement with the United States and that Dhaka retains full freedom in sourcing fuel from global markets.
“There is no secret agreement with the United States. All agreements are transparent and publicly available,” he said after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.
The clarification comes amid growing concerns over energy security as Bangladesh faces rising global prices and supply disruptions. Khalilur said recent engagements with the United States Department of Energy included discussions on cooperation in the energy sector.
While noting that some aspects remain confidential, he confirmed that Washington has expressed willingness to support Bangladesh in ensuring long-term energy security. However, he emphasised that such cooperation does not imply dependency or binding obligations.
“Our approach is clear. We will import energy from the most competitive and affordable sources,” he said, adding that India, the Middle East and the United States remain open options.
Addressing reports that Bangladesh may need US permission to import oil, particularly from Russia, the minister said, “The idea that Bangladesh must seek permission from the US to import oil is completely baseless.” He clarified that any restrictions related to Russian oil stem from international sanctions rather than bilateral agreements.
Khalilur also noted that discussions covered broader bilateral issues, including trade, development and the Rohingya crisis. He said the United States continues to be the largest donor supporting over a million Rohingya refugees in camps in Cox’s Bazar.
On the possibility of a foreign visit by the prime minister, he said the matter remains at a preliminary stage, with no destination finalised. “The government’s priority is to maintain a stable energy supply and ensure national energy security by sourcing fuel from the most competitive and affordable options,” he added.