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Safeguarding sovereignty, national interests Bangladesh’s core commitment: PM
BSS, Dhaka
Published: 19 Oct 2026, 12:00 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said safeguarding Bangladesh’s national interests, sovereignty and dignity would remain the country’s foremost commitment as it seeks to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all nations on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
“Bangladesh wants to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries on the basis of mutual respect and equality,” he said while addressing a National Standard Awarding Ceremony at Savar Cantonment. Several battalions and regiments received the National Standard in recognition of their professional excellence.
Emphasising the significance of the award, the prime minister said the National Standard was not merely a flag but a symbol of a unit’s history, heritage, discipline, sacrifice, professionalism and commitment to the country.
“The glorious hoisting of the national flag constantly reminds us of our independence, sovereignty and the sacrifices of countless people,” he said, adding that receiving the standard represented a renewed pledge to discharge assigned responsibilities with greater dedication.
“Safeguarding the honour of the flag is a sacred duty of every soldier,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said the strength of a modern military could not be measured merely by its weapons, equipment or manpower.
“The true strength of a modern armed force lies in discipline, competence, leadership, integrity, training and public trust—and, above all, in the chain of command,” he said.
He said the government was continuing its efforts to build a more technology-driven, competent, disciplined, professional and modern armed force.
The prime minister said the public expected officers and soldiers at all levels to uphold the Constitution, laws, military regulations and humanitarian values while discharging their duties.
Highlighting the changing global security environment, he said the nature and strategies of warfare were evolving rapidly. Alongside land, sea and air capabilities, cyberspace, outer space, drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and information-based capabilities had become important components of national security.
“In this reality, work is underway to advance our defence preparedness in keeping with the changing times,” he said.
The prime minister said the government attached importance to establishing a domestic defence industry to manufacture essential weapons, ammunition and equipment locally, alongside modernising the army in all areas.
However, technology could never replace people, he said, adding that the country needed an integrated defence capability that would enable the army, navy and air force to operate in coordination when necessary, alongside enhanced technological capabilities.
Referring to the Liberation War, Tarique Rahman said the history of the Bangladesh Army was inseparably linked with the birth of the country through the War of Liberation.
He recalled that on the night of 25 March 1971, when Pakistani forces launched a brutal crackdown on the people of Bangladesh, Major Ziaur Rahman, then deputy commander of the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in Chattogram, declared, “We revolt.”
Tarique Rahman said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman subsequently assembled Bengali-speaking officers and soldiers of the regiment and instructed them to join the armed struggle for independence.
Quoting Ziaur Rahman’s article The Birth of a Nation, the prime minister said he had called the battalion’s officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and soldiers together and instructed them to take part in the armed struggle at 2:15am on 26 March 1971.
The prime minister said Bengali-speaking members of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th East Bengal regiments had mounted armed resistance against Pakistani occupation forces following the crackdown on 25 March.
He also recalled Ziaur Rahman’s subsequent declaration of independence from Kalurghat Radio Centre on 27 March, saying his role in the Liberation War remained an inspiring chapter for the armed forces.
The historic and courageous role of an army officer in the country’s independence and Liberation War remained a source of pride and inspiration for the armed forces, he said.
“That is why patriotic people who cherish independence consider any success of the army a success for Bangladesh,” he added.
The armed forces not only defended the country but also played important roles during natural disasters, fires and other national emergencies, he said. They were also serving with distinction in international peacekeeping missions.
The prime minister said the government was giving due importance to the welfare, housing, healthcare, education, training, career development and post-retirement social security of armed forces personnel.
He said salaries and allowances of armed forces members had already increased by between 100 and 138% under the national pay scale.
Implementation of the “One Rank, One Pension” system was also being processed to further improve the living standards of Army personnel, he added.
Cabinet members and advisers, the Army chief, representatives of the diplomatic corps, former and serving armed forces officers, and military personnel of different ranks attended the ceremony organised by the 9th Infantry Division.