He, however, noted, "This is not to suggest that military power has lost its utility but to emphasise that non-military sectors have assumed key importance."

The FM made the observations at a seminar titled 'Security of Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Approach' organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) marking the Independence Day.

Morshed Khan said nowadays, states are faced with a variety of threats both intra and inter-state. "Broader threat perceptions also continue to persist --- regional hegemony, spheres of influence, domination and neocolonialism."

About the vulnerabilities of Bangladesh, he said there is no doubt that the country has vulnerabilities in practically all aspects and areas, both military and non-military. Economic viability, transnational economic and financial concerns, climate change and environmental degradation, political concerns, social chaos, arms, drug trafficking and terrorism are main sources of threats the country faces, he added.

"The most pressing task for us is to minimise the degree of vulnerability and reduce threats," he said, adding, "We must shape our security environment through an effective and realistic assessment of our national interest."

The Foreign Minister said a vital priority is to strive for political stability at home, maintain constant vigilance, seek active cooperation and coordinated efforts abroad and engage in a continuous process of confidence building.

Terming advancement in science and technology as the most pervasive phenomenon in international relations, he said the impact of advances of science and technology on security and foreign policy cannot be ignored. "The traditional way of dealing with security appears to be inadequate for the task of effectively tackling the challenges of technology, especially in cybernetics."

Morshed Khan said security is now regarded to have a much wider focus and range. "In traditional terms security is about threats to the existence of a nation state and adoption of emergency or extraordinary measures to deal with them. But non-traditional approach to security tends to make it all-inclusive."

First Saarc Secretary General Abul Ahsan and Prof M Shahiduzzaman presented two keynote presentations highlighting different issues related to the national security of Bangladesh. Former ambassador Afsarul Quader, Prof Syed Anwar Hossain and BIISS Director General Maj Gen Abdul Matin also spoke at the seminar chaired by BIISS chairman Ambassador Mufleh R Osmany.