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Bangladesh had earlier sent a letter making a similar request to the US.

Khalilur made the request in view of the upcoming planting season in Bangladesh so that farmers are not adversely affected and harvests and food security are not hampered, the statement said.

He explained that Bangladesh could not take advantage of the earlier limited worldwide waiver by the US on Russian oil shipments at sea, as none of the tankers was bound for Bangladesh at that time.

The two sides also discussed options for purchasing more refined oil produced from Russian crude in third countries to meet immediate needs.

Secretary Wright acknowledged the energy challenges Bangladesh is facing and expressed his country’s commitment to support Bangladesh during these difficult times to help ensure its energy security, the statement added.

He assured that he and his team would work closely with the relevant departments of the US government to this end.

The two sides also discussed longer-term cooperation on sustainable energy solutions for Bangladesh and the prospects of increasing procurement of US energy products.

Wright also congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his election victory and said he looked forward to strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries in the coming days.

Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh ambassador to the US; DM Salahuddin Mahmud, deputy chief of mission; and Fazle Rabbi, economic minister at the Bangladesh embassy in the US, were also present at the meeting.