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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said protecting national interests, sovereignty and self-respect will be the core commitment of Bangladesh’s future.
“Bangladesh wants to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality. I want to say that protecting national interests, sovereignty and self-respect will be the core commitment of Bangladesh in the days ahead, Insha’Allah,” he said.
He made the remarks on Sunday at Savar Cantonment while addressing a ceremony to award the National Standard to several army battalions and regiments.
The prime minister said the government is working to implement the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme to improve the living standards of army personnel, alongside initiatives to modernise the armed forces and strengthen their professional capabilities.
The government was committed to building a more technology-driven, skilled, disciplined, professional and modern armed forces, said Tarique.
He added that Bangladesh sought to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality, while protecting its national interests, sovereignty and dignity.
The prime minister said the government was giving priority to the welfare of military personnel, including housing, healthcare, education, training, career development and social security after retirement.
Salaries and allowances for armed forces members under the national pay scale had already increased by between 100 and 138 per cent, he said.
Congratulating the units that received the National Standard, Tarique said the honour was more than a flag, representing their history, traditions, discipline, sacrifice, professionalism and commitment to the country.
The units honoured included the 7 and 32 Field Regiment Artillery, 25 Air Defence Regiment, 9 Engineer Battalion, 56 and 57 East Bengal regiments, and the President Guard Regiment.
He said the armed forces’ strength lay not only in weapons, equipment or manpower but also in discipline, skills, leadership, ethics, training, public trust and adherence to the chain of command.
He stressed that officers and soldiers at all levels must remain committed to the Constitution, the law, military regulations and humanitarian values.
Referring to the 1971 Liberation War, Tarique highlighted the role of the then Major Ziaur Rahman, who declared “We revolt” following the Pakistani military crackdown on March 25.
He said Ziaur Rahman later directed Bengali-speaking officers and soldiers of the 8th East Bengal Regiment to join the armed struggle for independence.
The prime minister described the military’s role in the Liberation War as an enduring source of inspiration and said the army’s achievements were widely viewed as achievements for Bangladesh.
Tarique also noted that the global security environment was changing rapidly, with cyber operations, space, drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and information capabilities becoming increasingly important to national security.
He said the government was pursuing further modernisation of the armed forces and promoting a domestic defence industry to manufacture essential weapons, ammunition and defence equipment. He also stressed the need for coordinated operational capabilities among the army, navy and air force.
Beyond national defence, he added, the armed forces continued to play important roles during disasters and national emergencies and to serve in international peacekeeping missions.
