Dhaka, March 11 -- Bangladesh has formally requested a waiver from the United States to purchase Russian oil, seeking similar relief to that recently granted to India to navigate the energy crisis triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury conveyed the request to US Ambassador Brent Christensen during a meeting at the planning ministry on Wednesday.

The move comes as tensions in the Middle East threaten to disrupt traditional fuel supply lines, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

"The US has already granted a temporary waiver to India, allowing them to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea," Khosru told reporters.

"We asked, 'why not Bangladesh?' We want a waiver t...