DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government is modernizing the defense sector so that the country can protect its sovereignty. 

“Bangladesh does not want to commit war with any country rather we want peace but we have the capability to hit back if any country attack us. So, the government is modernizing the defense sector,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, who is also in-charge of the Ministry of Defense, made the assertion while addressing the officials at the defense ministry on Sunday morning.

Upholding Bangladesh’s commitment to world peace, the premier also said, “Our nation wants peace not war with any country.”

She also said her government has been working to make people as well as the defense forces capable in using modern technology.

Mentioning that Bangladesh has achieved of recovering maritime boundary from Myanmar, she said that modernization of defense forces is a demand of time to secure not only boundary but also the offshore resources.

She repeated that her government has been working to bring the country to the world standard.

The premier also expressed hope that Bangladesh would achieve the status of middle-income country (MIC) by 2021.

BDST: 1510 HRS, APR 27, 2014