Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the concluding ceremony of the 23-country Joint Military Exercise to be held in Dammam on April 16, reports UNB. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah HM Al Mutairi handed over a letter of the Saudi King to this end to the Prime Minister when he made a courtesy call on her at her official residence Ganobahaban.

After the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihasanul Karim briefed reporters. He said 23 countries, including Bangladesh, are participating in the month-long Joint Military Exercise titled 'Gulf Shield-1' that began on March 18.

The Press Secretary said both Sheikh Hasina and the Ambassador expressed satisfaction at the existing level of bilateral relations between the two brotherly Muslim countries.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali was present on the occasion.

“Gulf Shield 1” is organized by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense with participants from the land, air and naval forces of 23 countries. Tens of thousands of soldiers are taking part in joint military exercise, which is considered the largest in the region in terms of the number of participating countries and the equipment used.

The military exercises aim at maintaining the security and stability of the countries of the region and the readiness to confront any causes of instability and threats to the region. The drills also aim at highlighting the capabilities of joint military action and their constant preparedness to support the unity of the region and to deter any threat to it.

The month-long Gulf Shield 1 is being held in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia aiming at raising the competencies of participating forces to confront challenges and threats within a joint operation environment to achieve the concept of the joint action.

According to military experts, the importance of the exercise is demonstrated by the size of participation, the quality of sophisticated military equipment and the techniques used in the exercise, which is considered one of the most modern military systems in the world. Four of the participating countries are among the 10 most powerful armies in the world