Reiterating her government's “zero tolerance policy” against terrorism and militancy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said no one will be allowed to use Bangladesh's soil for carrying out terrorist activities against any country.
She told this to visiting Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who met her at the Gono Bhaban in the afternoon.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said the premier recalled with gratitude the contributions of Indian armed forces to Bangladesh's Liberation War.
Hasina said during her upcoming visit to India she would honour those valiant Indian armed forces personnel who embraced martyrdom in the war in 1971.
The Indian minister said it was his country's moral responsibility to extend help to Bangladesh during the war as a friendly country.
The PM thanked the Indian Coast Guard for rescuing Bangladeshi fishermen and handing them over to the Bangladesh authorities recently.
Manohar offered training for Bangladesh Coast Guard personnel for enhancing their capability.
He highly appreciated Bangladesh's socioeconomic development, particularly in women empowerment, under Hasina's able leadership.
“Bangladesh has made an impressive development in various sectors, especially women empowerment, which India could not do,” he noted.
The minister later handed over a replica of a helicopter that India used during the Liberation War and photographs of paratroopers who took part in the war.
PM's International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Mahfuzur Rahman, PM's Military Secretary Maj Gen Mia Mohammad Joynul Abedin, PMO Secretary Surayia Begum and Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla were present, among others.