No secret deal with US: Foreign minister
Bangladesh has no obligations regarding energy imports, he says
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman said yesterday (5 April) that Bangladesh has no secret agreement with the United States and the existing deals are already made public.
Claims that a secret deal forces Bangladesh to seek US permission for trade with other nations are completely false, he told reporters at the Secretariat.
"There is no secret agreement with the US, whatever agreements exist have already been made public," he told reporters at the Secretariat.
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He explained that sanctions on purchasing Russian oil apply to all countries. "Any required approval arises from those restrictions and has no connection with Bangladesh's trade agreement with the US."
The foreign minister also said there are no binding obligations regarding energy imports.
Khalilur was present when US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the secretariat yesterday.
Regarding the meeting, the foreign minister said discussions covered broader bilateral relations, particularly cooperation in energy, trade, and development.
On energy cooperation, the minister said 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.
Regarding the Prime Minister's potential foreign visits, the minister said the matter is still at a preliminary stage, with no specific destination finalized.
During the meeting with the prime minister, the US ambassador handed over two photographs and a replica of the White House to the Prime Minister.
One photograph features Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former US President Jimmy Carter, while the other shows former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and former US President George Bush Sr.
