Bangladesh to give befitting reply if attacked: PM

Putting emphasis on building strong armed forces to safeguard the country's sovereignty, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh would always remain ready to give a befitting reply, if anyone attacks the country.

She made the remark at the commissioning function of the first two submarines of Bangladesh Navy on Sunday, reports BSS.

"We don't want to engage in war, but there would be our instant preparation for giving a befitting reply, if anyone attacks the country ... for this, we would continue to do whatever is necessary," she added.

The premier said Bangladesh wants to maintain good relations with all to develop the country and ensure welfare for its people. "But as an independent state, we would procure everything necessary for protecting the country's sovereignty and independence," she said.

Earlier, Sheikh Hasina formally commissioned the Bangladesh Navy's two submarines named "Nabajatra" and "Joyjatra" at a special ceremony in the Chittagong Naval Berth.

She handed over the "commissioning formans" to the commanding officers of the submarines procured from China and formally unveiled their name plaques as per the rules of the navy.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm belief that the newly-commissioned submarines would play an important role during any crisis period.

The prime minister said a few countries of the world operate submarines, and Bangladesh has been placed in that list from today. "As a nation, it's a matter of a great honour and dignity for us," she said.

She said the two submarines have added unprecedented capability of strengthening the defence system to save the country from the aggression of the external enemies.

Recalling the glorious history of the naval commandoes during the war of liberation, the prime minister directed the submariners to face the challenges of operating submarines with immense courage and being imbued with the spirit of patriotism.
"Bangladesh Navy has been gradually turned into a dignified force on the world stage by way of implementing a far-reaching vision for the navy," she said.

Congratulating the submariners to become crews of the first two submarines of Bangladesh Navy, She said it's a matter of rare luck and honour for the nation.

Pointing out that operating submarines as a risky job, she said, "The tough work would be easy when you would work by utilizing your training and initiatives."

She added: "You are new crews and your aim should be to get prepared for real operation by gathering experience of running submarines in the sea."

Sheikh Hasina said the present government has taken a project to construct frigates at Chittagong Dry Dock run by Bangladesh Navy. "With the execution of the project, Bangladesh would achieve self-reliance in building warships," she said.

Due to the protection of the act, she said, Bangladesh earned the authority over more than one lakh 30 thousand square kilometres maritime area from Myanmar and India through international arbitration, opening the avenue towards the potentially of the "Blue Economy" for the country.

"To exploit this potentiality, we have built Bangladesh Navy as a three-dimensional force," she said.