Reiterating Bangladesh’s firm stand against terrorism, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the country’s armed forces, being imbued with the same ideal, must move forward.
“We’re committed to international peace and security. Our stand against all kinds of terrorism is very clear,” she said at a function in Mirpur Cantonment, BSS reported.
It was the graduation ceremony of the “DSCSC 2014-2015 Course” of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) held at the DSCSC Mirpur Hall.
Ministers, the leader of the opposition in parliament, members of parliament, advisers to the prime minister, the chiefs of three services, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
Terming the armed forces the symbol of independence and sovereignty, the prime minister said the government will do whatever necessary for the development and welfare of the armed forces.
“We continued the development process and we are committed to doing whatever necessary for the development and welfare of the armed forces,” she said.
The prime minister mentioned that during her first tenure in office, she took initiatives to expand the armed forces and established a number of units following the Defence Policy 1974 framed by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh’s resources are limited, but the government’s objective is to build up a strong, efficient and modern armed force within the available resources. “We need to put emphasis on advanced training and exercise to attain our aim,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh believes in the peaceful resolution of all bilateral, regional and international disputes in all corners of the globe. “The basic principle of our foreign policy is: ‘Friendship with all and malice towards none on the basis of equality,” she said.
Commandant of the DSCSC Major General Sajjadul Haque delivered the welcome address at the function.
So far, some 3,127 Bangladeshi officers and 860 overseas officers from 37 friendly countries have graduated from the college.
Source: Prothom Alo
