No secret US deal Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh has no secret agreement with the United States, emphasising that all existing bilateral arrangements between the two countries have been made public.
He made the remarks after a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen at the Secretariat, dismissing speculation about undisclosed agreements between Dhaka and Washington.
“There is no secret agreement with the United States; whatever agreements exist have already been made public,” Dr Rahman told reporters following the meeting.
He also rejected claims that Bangladesh requires US approval to import oil, describing such assertions as “completely false”.
The minister explained that restrictions on Russian oil imports stem from global sanctions regimes rather than any bilateral arrangement with the United States.
Dr Rahman clarified that the sanctions on Russian oil apply internationally and that any approval processes are linked to these global measures, not to US control over Bangladesh’s energy imports.
He added that Bangladesh is under no binding obligation in its energy procurement decisions.
“We are exploring multiple sources for energy imports, and our priority is to procure fuel from the most cost-effective options available. India, the Middle East and the United States remain viable alternatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Christensen also met Prime Minister Rahman on Sunday and described the talks as “very productive”, highlighting the shared objectives of both countries in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
In a message posted on the US Embassy Dhaka Facebook page, the ambassador said: “Looking forward to working together as we pursue common goals that benefit the people of both Bangladesh and the United States.”
During the meeting, Christensen presented two historical photographs and a replica of the White House to Prime Minister Rahman.
One photograph depicted Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with former US President Jimmy Carter, while the other showed former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia with former US President George H.W. Bush, symbolising longstanding ties between the two nations.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, and included discussions on energy, trade, development cooperation and continued support for addressing the Rohingya crisis.
Officials described the engagement as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Bangladesh-US relations through cooperation in key sectors, with both sides expressing interest in expanding collaboration in areas that promote economic stability, energy security and humanitarian support.
According to the minister, discussions with the US envoy focused on energy cooperation, trade and broader bilateral relations.
While some elements of energy cooperation could not be disclosed due to confidentiality arrangements, he noted that the United States had assured continued support for Bangladesh’s energy security.
On the issue of potential overseas visits by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Dr Rahman said the matter remains under discussion and no destination has yet been finalised.
The discussions reflect continued diplomatic engagement between Dhaka and Washington as Bangladesh seeks diversified energy sources and deeper economic and strategic cooperation with international partners.
