Dhaka in urgent fuel diplomacy with US
Bangladesh has sought urgent assistance from the United States to help stabilise its fuel supply, as the ongoing Middle East crisis continues to disrupt global energy chains and increase pressure on the country’s energy security.
The request was made during a bilateral meeting in Washington, DC, where Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held talks with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright at the Department of Energy, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the foreign minister highlighted the growing strain on Bangladesh’s fuel sector, noting that disruptions in global supply chains were creating multiple challenges for the country’s energy system. He stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel.
Officials said Dhaka is working to secure fuel imports as instability in the Middle East, particularly along key oil transit routes, has complicated shipping, increased costs and created uncertainty over deliveries. Fuel procurement has therefore become a top government priority, with authorities seeking to maintain adequate reserves to prevent domestic shortages.
In response, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged the situation and assured continued cooperation, stating that the concerns raised by Bangladesh would be considered in coordination with relevant US agencies.
The discussions also focused on strengthening long-term energy cooperation, including ensuring a stable supply for Bangladesh and expanding opportunities to import energy products from the United States.
Diplomatic sources said Bangladesh is moving to diversify its energy sources more actively in order to reduce dependence on volatile regions and build partnerships with a broader range of suppliers.
As part of these efforts, Bangladesh has approached Washington seeking a temporary sanctions waiver to allow the import of Russian diesel, similar to an arrangement granted to India. The proposal includes importing up to 600,000 tonnes, officials said.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury, Joint Secretary at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, confirmed that a formal request had been submitted and that the government is awaiting a response.
Bangladesh, with a population of around 175 million, relies on imports for about 95 per cent of its energy needs, making it highly vulnerable to global market volatility. Authorities have introduced fuel rationing measures in recent months, although some restrictions were eased during the Eid-ul-Fitr period.
Officials said Bangladesh is exploring procurement from multiple sources, including the United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Angola and Australia, as part of a broader diversification strategy.
At the same time, imports from existing partners are being increased. The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation is scheduled to import 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India’s Numaligarh Refinery Limited in April, nearly double the volume received in March, according to a senior official.
To sustain fuel and liquefied natural gas imports, Bangladesh is also seeking more than $2.5 billion in external financing, as rising energy costs and pressure on foreign exchange reserves continue to strain the economy.
Officials from both sides, including Bangladesh’s ambassador to the United States and senior embassy representatives, were present at the meeting.
The latest engagement reflects Dhaka’s growing diplomatic efforts to secure reliable energy supplies and strengthen trade and energy cooperation with key international partners amid continued global market uncertainty.
