Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has sought India’s help on managing its oil purchase from Russia. Bangladesh is now eyeing discounted Russian oil and has asked India’s suggestion to avoid any sanctions while making purchases. The energy issue has become a challenge for Bangladesh, the minister said.

The issue of Bangladesh’s oil purchases from Russia is understood to have figured in Bangladesh’s meeting with India’s FM Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hossain Ahmed Momen has said. He was speaking at an event in India’s eastern and south-eastern neighbourhood.

Momen said Russia has offered both energy and wheat to Bangladesh. Awami League government enjoys strong ties with Russia that is constructing a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh. Without naming the US, Momen said: “They (US) keep advising us and you (journalists) also encourage them”.

Momen also said he discussed how regional organizations can be made stronger to resolve issues regionally to ensure stability and security. Sri Lanka has taken delivery of nearly $73 million worth Russian oil to help restart the country’s only oil refinery. Colombo is in further talks with Moscow on additional direct shipments of crude oil besides coal, diesel, and gasoline. The island nation is facing an acute fuel shortage.

India has received 34 million barrels of discounted Russian oil since February. More than 24 million barrels were supplied to India in May, up from 7.2 million barrels in April and just over three million barrels a month in March.