Radicalization does not effect much in Bangladesh: PM Sheikh Hasina

"Radicalization does not affect much Bangladesh as it is a secular country. Our intelligence and law enforcement agencies are very much active to offset its impact," she said.

The Prime Minister was talking to visiting French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius and German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier when they paid a courtesy call on her at her official Ganobhaban residence here this afternoon.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the military dictators after grabbing power after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman excluded secularism, one of the principles of the Constitution. "But, our government restored the principle as well as the spirit of the War of Liberation through the 15th amendment to the Constitution," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned that the apex court of the country declared illegal the capturing of power in an unconstitutional way.

About relations with neighbouring countries, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is maintaining good relations with its neighbours. "We have resolved many problems with them through discussion," she said.

When the French and German foreign ministers wanted to know about the condition of the garment sector in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said her government has taken initiatives for the welfare of the garment workers.

Sheikh Hasina noted that government and private sectors are jointly working to ensure the welfare of the country's four million RMG workers.

"Our policy is to ensure the welfare of the people," she added.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina elaborated her government measures to ensure safety and security of the garment workers. She also mentioned that the owners of the garment factories are cautious in this regard. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh's RMG industry has the highest capacity to produce RMG products compared to other countries.

Both the foreign ministers discussed with the Prime Minister about the issues of climate change and migration. They said they have taken both the issues seriously.

Highly appreciating Bangladesh's impressive success on all socioeconomic fronts, the two foreign ministers said the people of the country are very much active for further development of the country.

They also apprised the Prime Minister of the setting up embassies of the two countries in one building in Dhaka. There is a common building of two embassies in Tunisia and Nigeria, they noted.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, PM's International Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi and PMO secretary Suraiya Begum were present among others.