PM stresses addressing traditional, non-traditional threats for national security

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday stressed the need for addressing traditional and non-traditional threats to ensure national security as the pattern of crimes has changed with the advent of newer technologies.

"The patterns of terrorism, militancy and crimes have changed with technological advancement. So, it is equally important to defend non-traditional and traditional threats to ensure national security," she said while addressing a programme at the Mirpur Cantonment in the capital.

"We want a peaceful environment in Bangladesh."

Sheikh Hasina also reiterated her call to the world leaders to stop the Russia-Ukraine war immediately for the welfare of the global community. "We don't want war. We want to resolve all disputes and differences through talks." 

The prime minister said her government is making the armed forces developed and powerful not to engage in war with anyone. "Our foreign policy is very clear. We're running the state while maintaining friendly relations to all."

The prime minister said they have even not engaged in any quarrel with Myanmar over repatriation of their forcibly displaced national Rohingyas to their home land. "We're trying to solve the problem through discussions."

She referred to solving the land boundary issue with India through discussion and establishing rights in the vast sea areas and on its resources after winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar maintaining friendly relations.

She once again alerted the countrymen against rumour about the foreign currency reserve and liquidity in banks, saying, "A vested quarter is out to spread rumours about the foreign reserve and liquidity in banks. Don't pay heed to the rumour."

She assured the people of having enough foreign reserves and liquidity in banks.  

The prime minister said they are now out to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country and transform "Digital Bangladesh" into a "Smart Bangladesh" by implementing the Vision-2041.

She greeted 250 officers who graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and handed over certificates to the graduates at the event. 

Sheikh Hasina said her government is implementing short, mid and long term plans to make ultra-modern, time-befitting, and more developed armed forces since her party is in power for the third consecutive term from 2009.

She attached topmost priority to training, saying that the overall standard of armed forces would not be achieved through only collecting world-class war weapons, rather it required time-befitting and future oriented training alongside the war weapons.