Purchase of Chinese subs won't affect int'l relations

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told parliament that the purchase of two submarines from China would not elicit “negative reactions” from the international political arena, as it was an issue of Bangladesh's national interest.

On March 12, PM included two submarines -- BN Nabajatra and BN Joyjatra -- into the Navy fleet for the first time in history with a view to further intensifying the monitoring of the Bay and enhancing the force's combat capability.

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The submarines were purchased from China, one of the important development partners of the country, to modernise the defence system by upgrading the Naval force to a three-dimensional one, Hasina said in a scripted reply to lawmakers' queries.

 “The two submarines have strengthened our defense system much more compared to its previous situation,” and that has improved Bangladesh's position in national and international politics, the leader of the House said.

Both the submarines are 76 metres in length and 7.6 metres in width and are equipped with torpedoes and mines capable of attacking enemy warships and submarines.

In response to another query, the PM informed the House that her government had a plan to form a separate police unit to combat militancy and different other crimes.

On the issue of exporting manpower, she said that as many as 46.79 lakh people got jobs abroad since 2009.

Regarding the government's action to ensure human rights, Hasina in a scripted answer said her government had reconstituted the National Human Rights Commission to make it independent and neutral.

In line with the Paris Principal of the United Nations, the government reconstituted the NHRC by appointing a chairman and six members in June 2010. The government is pledge-bound to develop and protect human rights in the country by strengthening the commission, the PM added.