Bangladesh in discussion with Myanmar for peaceful repatriation of Rohingyas: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh continues its discussions with Myanmar with a friendly attitude -- without engaging in any conflict -- for the repatriation of Rohingyas and for the sake of regional security and development.

"Responding to the call of endangered humanity, we've given shelter to around 10 lakh Rohingyas despite [our] limitations, including internal resource constraints. And we didn't engage in conflict with anyone for the sake of regional security and development, apart from creating scopes, so that the forcibly displaced Myanmar citizens can return to their homeland," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the graduation ceremony of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) 2020-21 Course at Sheikh Hasina Complex in Dhaka's Mirpur Cantonment. She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

Talking about coronavirus, Hasina said this virus brought the entire world to a standstill, dealing a serious blow to every sector, including socioeconomic development.

"In this condition, we're continuing our efforts for maintaining all the development activities, including the economy, besides ensuring health security of the people of the country," she said adding, "We've achieved successes in many sectors."

Sheikh Hasina said the vaccination programme in Bangladesh has started. "We're dealing with the virus."

ARMED FORCES

The Prime Minister said the importance of the Armed Forces is unlimited in the context of safeguarding the country's independence and sovereignty.

Realising this, the Father of the Nation took necessary steps soon after independence to develop a disciplined and professional armed force in the country and formulated a defence policy to this end, Hasina said.

BANGLADESH'S FOREIGN POLICY

Hasina said Bangladesh attaches importance to the foreign policy of the Father of the Nation -- "friendship to all, malice to none", and her government is very active to take the inter-country relationships to the highest level.

STAFF COLLEGE

About the DSCSC, she called it the most modern training and educational institution and hoped that the graduating officers would play their due roles in developing Bangladesh as a stable, sustainable and self-dependent country through their skills, knowledge and experience.

Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over graduation certificates among the course participants virtually.

A total of 225 officers of the Army, Navy and the Air Force, including 43 officers from 16 foreign countries, successfully completed a year-long training course at the DSCSC.