Bangladesh kicks off 1st-ever fleet review to ensure maritime peace

By Md. Kamruzzaman

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AA) - Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called on global leaders to ensure a safe and secure environment in all maritime areas as the world’s 90% trade is being operated through the sea routes.

Addressing the formal inauguration of a four-day fleet review titled “International Fleet Review (IFR)-2022,” being held for the first time in the history of Bangladesh in the country’s southern marine district of Cox’s Bazar, the premier said: “For uninterrupted world trade, we have to maintain the safety and security of the maritime resources.”

The naval force of the south Asian delta nation of 170 million people is organizing the event on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of the country.

Members of naval forces and maritime organizations from 28 countries including Türkiye, the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the Netherlands are taking part in the fleet review with Bangladesh as the host.

Underlining the IFR-2022 as a great opportunity to bolster the existing friendly ties among the participating countries, Hasina said: “Peace brings prosperity for us. The strategic and economic importance of the Indian Ocean has increased a lot in contemporary times and so all countries here must develop a mutual friendship.”

Referring to war as always destructive and harmful, she said that Bangladesh never supports war and that the country always works for peace.

“We urge all to stop any war and solve all problems through peaceful dialogue,” Hasina said.

She added that the defense forces of Bangladesh are being strengthened and modernized not for war, but to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. “Our mission is to establish and maintain peace.”

Following the inauguration, the Bangladeshi premier witnessed a splendid parade jointly performed by the Bangladesh Navy and crews of the participating foreign ships, free-fall jumps by SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land) commandos and an operational demonstration at the Inani Beach of the district.