Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated Bangladesh's stance not to engage in war with anyone but said would boost its defences aiming to protect independence and sovereignty.
“We will not engage in war with anyone. But we have to attain the capability to protect our independence and sovereignty,” the prime minister said while addressing the golden jubilee of the enactment of the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury chaired the program at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
Sheikh Hasina said following in the footsteps of Bangabandhu, the government has formulated Forces Goal 2030 and is implementing it.
“... as an independent country, we will do whatever we need. We are working on that direction,” she said.
The prime minister said the Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974 is working as an important guideline and will continue to do the same in the future.
She mentioned that the vast maritime areas that Bangladesh attained will contribute a lot to the country’s economy.
Shipping Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal and Naval chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan also spoke at the program.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary (Maritime Affairs Unit) Rear Admiral (Retd) Md Khurshed Alam presented the keynote paper.
An audio-visual documentary was screened at the program.
Later, the prime minister visited different stalls at the event venue.
