Fakhrul stresses strategic leadership, collective efforts

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for strategic leadership, institutional resilience and collective efforts to address the country’s emerging security challenges.
“National security and international engagement must be guided by ‘Bangladesh First’ principle with safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, independence, national dignity, security and people’s welfare alongside maintaining constructive relations based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit,” he said.
The president made these remarks while addressing participants of the National Defence Course-2026 and Armed Forces War Course-2026 at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Monday.
“Bangladesh’s journey towards becoming a more prosperous, inclusive and resilient nation requires quality leadership, strong institutions and unity in pursuing national interests,” Fakhrul said.
He paid deep respect to martyrs of the Liberation War in 1971, recalling their courage, sacrifice and commitment to establishing an independent and sovereign Bangladesh.
Fakhrul also paid tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman for his outstanding contribution to the Liberation War, particularly his proclamation of independence at its very dawn and his contribution to professional military education through the establishment of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in 1977.
Fakhrul remembered those who sacrificed their lives during the July-August 2024 movement and the long struggle for democracy over the past 17 years, stressing the need to uphold people’s dignity, ensure justice and accountability and institutionalise democracy.
“Traditional security concerns now coexist with climate change, cyber threats, transnational crime, terrorism, pandemics, economic uncertainty and disruptive technologies,” he said.
 “National security encompasses not only military preparedness but also economic resilience, food and energy security, environmental sustainability, technological capability and strong institutions,” he added.