Nat'l security depends not only on military power: PM

"In the 21st century, defence and national security depend not only on military power but also on overall national strength and ability," she said while addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence Course-2004 and Armed Forces War Course-2004 at the National Defence College (NDC) at Mirpur Cantonment.

The prime minister, who also holds the portfolio of the defence ministry, stressed the need for grooming military leaders capable of keeping pace with the revolutionary changes in technology and planning and execution of warfare.

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She, however, pointed out that while endeavouring for modernisation of the armed forces, "we must bear in mind that the real strength remains to be our people and our national resolve".

"Our defence doctrine should, therefore, be both technology- and people-centric," Khaleda said.

A total of 22 officers, including 13 from Bangladesh Armed Forces, four secretaries from the civil service, two deputy inspector generals from Police, and three overseas officers from Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka completed the National Defence Course-2004.

And 20 officers of Bangladesh Armed Forces took part in the Armed Forces War Course-2004.

The prime minister gave away certificates to the graduates at the function attended by ministers, MPs, advisers, academics, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, and senior civil and military officials.

Commandant of the NDC Maj Gen Abu Tayeb Muhammad Zahirul Alam also spoke.

Khaleda lauded the role of the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in the socio-economic uplift besides safeguarding national sovereignty and security.

She also appreciated their sincerity, dedication, patriotism and professional competence in disaster management and rehabilitation, assisting the civil administration in national elections and improving law and order, development of infrastructure in remote areas and protection of environment through tree plantation.

She was all praise for the professional, dedicated and efficient role of the members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces in maintaining global peace under the aegis of the United Nations and in rebuilding Kuwait.

The prime minister also presided over the sixth Joint Meeting of the Governing Body of the National Defence College after the certificate award ceremony.

Other members of the NDC Governing Body include chiefs of the three services, defence secretary, principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division, finance secretary, education secretary, establishment secretary and the vice-chancellors of Dhaka, Jahangirnagar and National universities.