Developing forces to protect independence, sovereignty: PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government is developing every force to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.

"We want peace, not war. But for protecting our country's independence and sovereignty we have to take all measures and training, [and] we're developing all our forces accordingly," she said while addressing the President's Parade-2020, held at Bangladesh Naval Academy, Chattogram.

She attended the event virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

She said that as an independent country, the government aims to ensure that the people of the country will move forward with their heads held high.

"We'll take all preparations for protecting the independence and sovereignty [of our country]. But war with no one, friendship to all and malice towards none, that is our policy," she said. 

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina said that the government had allocated Khulna Shipyard and dry dockyards in Chattogram and Narayanganj to the Navy.

"Our aim was to build warships at our own shipyards. We've already started working towards that goal," she said, adding that a submarine base is being constructed at Pekua in Cox's Bazar while expansion works are going on for Rabanabad Naval Base. 

Briefly describing various development activities of Bangladesh Navy, the Prime Minister said that the government has turned Navy into a three-dimensional force following the Forces Goal 2030.

She said that the government has inducted 27 warships, created skilled naval commando and rescue team and aviation team, inducted two submarines in 2017 and constructed Bangabandhu Complex in the Naval Academy with modern facilities for providing better training.

Talking about the vast marine boundary, the Prime Minister said that the government is working to utilise the marine resources for the economic development of the country.