<div><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">India’s former state minister for foreign affairs MJ Akbar on Sunday said those trying to induce fears in Bangladesh ahead of its national election are forgetting that Bangladesh is no longer a country that is scared.&nbsp; &nbsp;</span><br></b></div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh is not a country that fears anything,” he told reporters when a questioner wanted to know his take on fear of sanctions or other measures that are being discussed ahead of the election.</div><div><br></div><div>The prominent author-journalist turned politician said that some of the attention that Bangladesh is drawing is caused by the country’s relevance.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Akbar was delivering a keynote speech at a discussion, titled “Bangladesh’s achievements in 52 years and its place in the region and beyond in the coming decades,” at Dhaka’s Foreign Service Academy.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen spoke at the discussion as the chief guest and said Bangladesh is no longer a bottomless basket but is a land of opportunities.</div><div><br></div><div>Momen highlighted the significant development and stability that Bangladesh achieved, noting that Bangladesh has been pursuing democracy.</div><div><br></div><div>Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Rector of Foreign Service Academy, Mashfee Binte Shams, also spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>After imposing sanctions on the elite force RAB, the United States in September this year announced steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals – from law enforcement, ruling party, and political opposition – responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.</div><div><br></div><div>The United States says it is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Bangladesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner while Bangladesh repeated its commitment to holding free and fair elections.</div><div><br></div><div>Responding to a question, Akbar said that Prime leader Sheikh Hasina should be celebrated and honored as the “liberator and leader of the second liberation,” and this was liberation of a nation from dictatorship.</div><div><br></div><div>The Indian politician said he can see great happiness in Bangladesh as the process of democracy here continues.</div><div><br></div><div>“I believe Bangladesh will be able to face its own problems and challenges through its own efforts,” he said, putting emphasis on home-grown solutions instead of external intervention.</div><div><br></div><div>Highlighting Sheikh Hasina’s historic contributions, Akbar said she is not just leading the nation towards democracy and freedom from hunger, but also towards a modern future to make Bangladesh a complete success story.</div><div><br></div><div>He said Bangladesh has become a nation of opportunities today under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div><br></div><div>“Bangladesh is the emerging power of Asia,” he said, highlighting PM Hasina’s development efforts towards ensuring inclusive growth, reports UNB.</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>