Stamp out terrorism for regional peace

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged all to work together for establishing a secure and prosperous region by uprooting all sorts of terrorism.

"We must root out terrorism in all forms to build a secure and prosperous region," she said.

The PM made the remarks when national security chiefs from member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) met her at the Gono Bhaban.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

The national security chiefs of Bimstec are now in Dhaka to discuss the issues of security cooperation among the seven-member states of the regional grouping.

Hasina hoped that the Bimstec countries will further strengthen their cooperation to stamp out terrorism from the region.

She said containing drug abuse, human trafficking, cybercrime, maritime space threat and sea-level rise due to climate change are the major challenges for the region.

"We must find a system to face these challenges in a coordinated way."

Reiterating her government's zero tolerance policy against terrorism, Hasina said, "We've taken massive measures to create awareness among the youth, families and educational institutions about terrorism and extreme violence."

She also reaffirmed her government's firm stance not to allow anyone to use Bangladesh's soil for terrorist acts against other countries.

Regarding problems with neighbouring countries, the PM put emphasis on solving the problems bilaterally. "If there is a need to do more, we could solve those multilaterally."

She also stressed the importance of united efforts of the Bimstec countries for maintaining economic development and sustainable growth of the region.

As a founding member of Bimstec, Bangladesh attaches priority to regional cooperation. "We're firmly committed to deepening our relations with Bimstec member countries, and we're very much active to strengthen this process."

Hasina underlined the need for signing and ratifying some conventions of security cooperation. "These framework agreements will ensure security of trade, economy and investment in this region, and help increase the economic growth of people."

She pointed out that the Bimstec countries, including Bangladesh, will arrange some programmes like ministerial-level meeting in 2018 to further strengthen their cooperation.

The PM's Security Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiq apprised the Hasina of different aspects of the meeting of the national security chiefs of the Bimstec countries.

Bimstec Secretary General Shahidul Islam, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Tarique Ahmed Siddiq, Thang Tun of Myanmar, Nepalese Ambassador Chop Lal Bhusal, Brig HKACR Kodi Phuwakkul of Sri Lanka and Chalida Chochai of Thailand were, among others, present at the meeting.