Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman today (5 April) said that Bangladesh has no secret agreement with the United States, adding that whatever agreements exist have already been made public.
“There is no secret agreement with the United States; whatever agreements exist have already been made public,” he told reporters at the Secretariat.
The foreign minister, along with Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, was present when US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the secretariat.
Khalilur claimed that Bangladesh’s need for permission from the United States to import oil under any such agreement is “completely false.”
He explained that sanctions on Russian oil apply globally, and any required approvals stem from those sanctions, not from any trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US.
The foreign minister also said there are no binding obligations regarding energy imports.
He noted that today’s discussions covered broader bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in energy, trade, and development.
On energy cooperation, the minister said that while some aspects could not be disclosed due to confidentiality, he said the United States assured support to help ensure Bangladesh’s energy security.
Responding to a question about whether the US could assist Bangladesh in tackling the current energy situation, he said the government is exploring multiple sources for energy imports and will procure oil from the most cost-effective options.
India, the Middle East, and the United States remain open alternatives, he added.
He said that 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 in the global market.
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