<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the armed forces are being developed appropriately to give fitting reply if the country comes under attack by any external forces.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If external forces attack, we have to face that. For that we have to build up appropriate armed forces and accordingly we have taken various steps,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said this while addressing the 10th Tigers’ Reunion of the East Bengal Regiment at Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that Bangladesh does not want to engage in war with anyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We believe in the policy of friendship to all and malice to none. This policy was formulated by the Father of the Nation,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Briefly describing various development activities of the government to modernise Bangladesh Army, she said that Sheikh Russell cantonment has recently been established in Mawa-Jazira while construction of new cantonments is under way in Mithamin, Rajbari and Trishal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Construction of Army Aviation Forward Bases at Chattogram and Cox's Bazar and Aviation School at Lalmonirhat is also in progress,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She mentioned that the government has added new composite brigade and para commando brigade in the army.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Sophisticated and up-to-date weapons are being procured for each force,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that the government wants to transform Bangladesh as a country of peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“For that we have adopted zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy," she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PM said that Bangladesh has faced COVID-19 pandemic successfully.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But she mentioned that Russia-Ukraine war and subsequent sanctions caused economic recession across the globe where developed countries have also been affected.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Food prices in various countries increased excessively, and there is trouble in getting foods also,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that the land of Bangladesh is fertile while people are very much skilled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I want that every citizen of the country will cultivate whatever land one has so that the blow of world economic recession can not hit Bangladesh,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasina said that the government has increased country’s food production and ensured food security.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is true, but alongside of that we have to continue this (increased food production) until this (Russia-Ukraine) war stops and the world get rid of the economic recession,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She urged all to work hard ensure that the global economic recession does not affect Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the programme the PM took salute and also inspected the parade riding on an open jeep.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She witnessed the spectacular parade of a smartly-turned out contingent of East Bengal Regiment followed by a colourful cultural programme. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>