Dhaka, Dec 12 (TIWN) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said that her country has attained all capabilities to protect its independence and sovereignty if it is attacked by any external aggressor or an enemy.

The Armed Forces, as the children of Bangladesh’s soil, should be equal partners in sharing the joys and sorrows of its people, she said.  “Their only professional goal should be to stay vigilant, be ready to perform their duties, and pay the ultimate sacrifice for the nation, if necessary. 

“We believe in peace, the Father of the Nation has given us the foreign policy ‘Friendship to all, malice to none’, we believe in that foreign policy, but if we’re attacked by enemies from outside, we’ve attained our capabilities to protect our independence and sovereignty,” Hasina added.  Through their oaths, the new cadets are now responsible for maintaining the independence of Bangladesh and upholding its sovereignty, she noted.  Extending her best wishes and greetings to all the new officers, the Prime Minister said that they were now entrusted with the “sacred duty of defending the great independence and sovereignty of the motherland”.  “You’ve to remain alert and ready always to fulfil this responsibility. You’ll have to remain beside the people of the country� you’ll have to perform your duties to meet all the necessities of people and share happiness and sorrows equally,” she said.