<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Bangladesh today in principal agreed with a proposal of Gambi to co-deploy troops of the two countries in the UN peacekeeping mission as Gambian Foreign Minister Dr. Mamadou Tangara paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister consented in principle at the meeting with the Gambian foreign affairs, international cooperation and Gambians abroad minister as he handed over a request letter regarding the proposal of Gambian president to her.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Gambia has proposed for co-deployment of Bangladeshi and Gambian forces in a suitable UN peacekeeping mission, PM's Speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed the newsmen after the meeting held at the premier's official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to Nazrul Islam, the prime minister has asked all concerned to prepare Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to pursue the proposal of co-deployment of troops in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission upon UN approval.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She also apprised the meeting that Bangladesh is the highest troops contributing country in the UN peacekeeping missions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The visiting Gambian minister has highly praised Bangladesh's contribution to maintain world peace and Bangladesh's massive development in agriculture sector.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In reply, the prime minister has proposed transferring Bangladeshi manpower and technology to Gambia to jointly cultivate in its vast land for mutual benefit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She also said Bangladesh has become a food-sufficient country due to her government's timely measures that include arrangement of conducting research.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said the research has helped Bangladesh become a self-reliant country in food production despite reduction of agriculture lands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She, as well, mentioned her government’s policy not to leave a single inch of land uncultivated, saying Bangladesh people are very responsive to it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister thanked the Gambian government to support Bangladesh in repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She also said Bangladesh has given shelter to Rohingyas on humanitarian ground and tried its best to give them dignified life since sending them back to their nation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The premier said her government has been trying to repatriate the Rohingyas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gambian Defence Minister Sering Modou Njieis, Bangladesh Foreign Senior Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman and Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, were present. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>