Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the Armed Forces is being developed appropriately to give a fitting reply if the country comes under attack by any external forces.
“If external forces attack, we have to face that. For that we have to build up appropriate Armed Forces and we have taken various steps accordingly,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing the 10th Tigers' Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA).
She said Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone.
“We believe in the policy of friendship to all and malice to none. This policy was formulated by the father of the nation,” she said.
Briefly describing various development activities of the government to modernize the Bangladesh Army, she said Sheikh Russell Cantonment was recently established in Mawa-Jazira and construction of new cantonments is underway in Mithamin, Rajbari and Trishal.
“Construction of army aviation forward bases in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and aviation school in Lalmonirhat is also in progress,” she said.
She mentioned that the government has added a new composite brigade and para commando brigade to the army.
“Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force,” she said.
She said that the government wants to transform Bangladesh into a country of peace. “For that we have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy."
The prime minister said Bangladesh faced the Covid pandemic successfully.
But she mentioned that the Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions caused economic recession across the globe where developed countries have also been affected.
“Food prices in various countries increased excessively, and there is trouble in getting food also,” she said.
She said the land of Bangladesh is fertile and its people are very much skilled.
“I want every citizen of the country to cultivate whatever land one has so that the blow of world economic recession can not hit Bangladesh,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has increased the country's food production and ensured food security.
“It is true, but alongside that we have to continue this (increased food production) until the (Russia-Ukraine) war stops and the world gets rid of the economic recession,” she said.
She urged all to work hard to ensure that the global economic recession does not affect Bangladesh.
At the program the prime minister took salute and also inspected the parade in an open jeep.
She witnessed the spectacular parade of a smartly turned-out contingent of the East Bengal Regiment followed by a colourful cultural program.
