Bangladesh is maintaining distance from the fallout between the West led by the UK and Russia after an ex-Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned by nerve agent in England last month.

The UK government has accused Russia of being behind the attack, but Russia's ambassador in the UK said Moscow had no nerve agent stockpile.

On Wednesday, Russia’s pitched to Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at the Hague for a new joint probe over the poisoning.

Bangladesh abstained from voting on the proposal during the international chemical weapons watchdog’s special session, presided over by Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammad Belal.

Moscow’s bid for the joint inquiry failed as its proposal was voted down.

Russia lost the vote by 15 votes to six, while 17 member states, including Bangladesh abstained, diplomatic sources said.

China, Azerbaijan, Sudan, Algeria and Iran were among the countries that backed Russia's motion, they added.

Russia called the meeting to challenge the UK, which has blamed Moscow for the Mar 4 poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia southern England’s Salisbury.

Amid the UK-Russia row, which led to expulsion of diplomats not only involving the two countries, but also the US and several other European countries, Bangladesh came in the spotlight as its envoy in the Hague chairs the OPCW.

The UK, US and Russia have discussed the issue with Bangladesh, with the foreign minister as well as the foreign secretary several times and sought support even though Bangladesh is not party to it.

On Mar 29, Ambassador Belal received a request from Russia to convene a special session to discuss Skripal case and eventually he issued a notice the next day for holding the meeting on Apr 4.