Dhaka, Riyadh for bolstering defence cooperation

Visiting Commander of Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lt Gen Admiral Fahad bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily met on Monday Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban, report agencies.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said Sheikh Hasina and the Saudi Naval Chief put emphasis on strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
At the meeting, the PM pointed out the issue of maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar, saying the problems were resolved peacefully.
The PM said Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have wonderful relations and hoped that the ties will be deepened further in the days to come.
About the Rohingya issue, she mentioned that the Myanmar nationals who fled to Bangladesh have already outnumbered the local people causing serious sufferings to them.
During the meeting, the Saudi Naval chief said he had a very fruitful discussion with the chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh over promotion of cooperation between the two naval forces.
Over the Rohingya issue, Fahad Bin Abdullah A-Ghofaily highly appreciated Bangladesh government's noble gesture of sheltering over one million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar who were forcefully displaced from Myanmar.
Referring to Bangladeshi citizens working in the Saudi defence forces, he said they are working hard and contributing a lot to both the brotherly countries.
The Saudi Naval chief expressed satisfaction over the existing friendly and brotherly relations between the two countries and hoped that the ties will be strengthened further in the days to come.
He said Bangladesh has a special place in the hearts of the Saudi people.
Chief of Naval Staff AMMM Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary M Nojibur Rahman and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman were, among others, present.