Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday (May 31, 2023) said security cooperation does not refer to any strategic alliance. He, however, said they have probably slowed down some of the major purchase plans due to current economic situation, which will continue until further improvement of the economic situation. "We do not want any war. But if the independence of Bangladesh is hurt, if the sovereignty is hurt, we will need tools to counter it," Shahriar said, adding that the government is focusing on further economic development. He was speaking at an interactive session titled "Bangladesh at the Crossroads" held in a hotel in Dhaka. Read more: Shahriar hopes US taking good note of BNP’s threat over election The Daily Ittefaq organised the event where its Publisher and Executive Director Tareen Hossain delivered welcome remarks. The State Minister said any defence agreement with any country does not mean that Bangladesh will get involved in war against any country. "We have to procure necessary equipment to defend our country. We have Forces Goal 2030," he said. The country's economic well-being is now the biggest priority, Shahriar said. Read more: President Erdogan and PM Hasina vow to take Dhaka-Ankara ties to new height "We are under no security threats," he said, adding that of course there is always the risk of extremism and Bangladesh will prevent it. Shahriar said Bangladesh has some strategic plans as part of Forces Goal 2030 and it will have to wait for some more time to be completed. Member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Nahim Razzaq, diplomats from foreign missions stationed in Dhaka and journalists were present. Read more: Nothing to share yet regarding China’s GDI, says Shahriar Alam

India has announced the establishment of Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi. In view of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh as well as the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides have agreed to jointly commemorate these epochal events in 19 select countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian side for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Also read: Bangabandhu chair to be established at RU in Mujib Borsho Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations, according to joint statement. The Bangladesh side welcomed the decision of the government of India to announce 1000 “Shuborno Jayanti Scholarships” for Bangladeshi students for pursuing education/courses in India. The two countries noted with satisfaction that the filming of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under the direction of Indian film director Shyam Benegal, has commenced and is expected to be completed according to schedule. Also read:  Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year Both sides stressed on the need to commence work on the Liberation War documentary at the earliest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations. To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps. It was decided to commemorate 06 December as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971. Also read: Establishment of Bangabandhu Chair proposed in Netherlands Indian Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to 50 young entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to visit India to connect with the start up and innovation ecosystems in India and meet the venture capitalists.

Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has described Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as “an icon in the struggle for the independence of Bangladesh, and a personification of the principles of freedom and equity”.