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Bangladesh concerned over arms build-up in South Asia
Dhaka, Sept 17: Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan today said that Dhaka was opposed to a build-up of weapons in South Asia, which should rather focus on tackling poverty.
Dhaka, Sept 17: Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Morshed Khan today said that Dhaka was opposed to a build-up of weapons in South Asia, which should rather focus on tackling poverty.
"We are against any arms build-up in the region," Khan told members of the Chittagong reporters forum in Dhaka.
"It is natural to be concerned, we have a legitimate concern about any such build-up, be it India or Pakistan ...And more so because both the countries are nuclear powers," Khan said.
"Poverty is our main challenge and we have to focus on that," he said.
Khan was responding to questions on the sale of Israeli weapons to India.
Khan also said Bangladesh was confident the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad would be held on schedule in January.
"Whatever be the developments (between India and Pakistan), I am confident the SAARC summit will be held on schedule as the date was fixed by officials from all the member countries," Khan said.
Khan also praised a new bus service linking Dhaka with Tripura, saying it was an example of Bangladesh's stand on improving ties with all countries in South Asia.
Communications ministry officials said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sharkar would arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for the launching of the service on Friday.
It will be the second bus service between the two countries. The first bus service between Dhaka and Kolkata was launched in 1999.
Bureau Report
"It is natural to be concerned, we have a legitimate concern about any such build-up, be it India or Pakistan ...And more so because both the countries are nuclear powers," Khan said.
"Poverty is our main challenge and we have to focus on that," he said.
Khan was responding to questions on the sale of Israeli weapons to India.
Khan also said Bangladesh was confident the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad would be held on schedule in January.
"Whatever be the developments (between India and Pakistan), I am confident the SAARC summit will be held on schedule as the date was fixed by officials from all the member countries," Khan said.
Khan also praised a new bus service linking Dhaka with Tripura, saying it was an example of Bangladesh's stand on improving ties with all countries in South Asia.
Communications ministry officials said Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sharkar would arrive in Dhaka tomorrow for the launching of the service on Friday.
It will be the second bus service between the two countries. The first bus service between Dhaka and Kolkata was launched in 1999.
Bureau Report