Territorial Waters
Connectivity raises Bangladesh's importance: Ashraf
The importance of Bangladesh's territorial waters is growing for connectivity to neighbouring countries like China, India, Myanmar, and other South Asian states through Chittagong port, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam said yesterday.
Against this backdrop, the present government is paying more attention to equip the navy with modern warships and technologies so that the country's sovereignty and independence stay protected, he said.
The minister made the remarks while talking to journalists after attending the concluding ceremony of the annual sea exercise of Bangladesh Navy yesterday. As the chief guest, he observed the drills of navy from the force's modern ship BNS Bangabandhu.
With successful missile launch, Exercise Sea Thunder-2012 ended in the Bay of Bengal. The concluding day also featured missile launch from navy ships, anti-submarine socket launch and demonstration of anti-aircraft gunfire and various tactics of naval warfare.
The 23-day exercise underlined protection of the country's sovereignty, marine resources, and offshore resources, stop to piracy and smuggling in the sea, preservation of the biodiversity in the coastal areas, prevention of sea pollution and ensuring security in the sea.
Most of the navy ships and vessels, fighter aircrafts of Bangladesh Air Force, and some units of Bangladesh Army took part in it.
Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Jahir Uddin Ahmed welcomed the chief guest while high-ranking navy officers, principal staff, and army officers were present on the occasion.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments