India's former external affairs state minister and renowned author MJ Akbar on Sunday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is the victor of Bangladesh's second liberation war as she had liberated the country from dictatorship.
"Prime minister and prime leader Sheikh Hasina should be celebrated and honored as the liberator and as the leader of the (Bangladesh's) second liberation war," he told reporters at the Foreign Service academy in the capital.
The eminent author-journalist turned politician appeared in front of the media along with foreign minister Dr Ak Abdul Momen after giving 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".
Akbar said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not only turning Bangladesh as a success state but also building the country as a modern one based on principles and based on provable and visible success.
Regarding the upcoming election, the former Indian state minister said he can see great happiness here as the process of democracy has been continued in Bangladesh.
Answering a question regarding threat of the US sanction against Bangladesh and geopolitical attention, Akbar said that the global attention is being made as Bangladesh is relevant.
"Those who are trying to frighten Bangladesh are forgetting that Bangladesh is no more a timid country. So, it doesn't work that I will be sacred, if you frighten me," he said.
Regarding the geopolitical power play centering the region, the Indian politician said, he believes that Bangladesh has the firm ability to face its own problem and challenges by its own.
While delivering the keynote speech, Akbar highlighted Prime Minister Sheikh Haisna's development efforts towards ensuring an inclusive growth and termed Bangladesh as the 'emerging power of Asia'.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation by delivering all "four dimensions" to turn Bangladesh as a modern state.
Without democracy and freedom to every faith, no country can be a modern nation as ensuring freedom of each faith is inclusive nationalism, he said.
Akbar lauded Bangladesh premier's achievement in elevating poverty and ensuring gender equality as no country can be a modern nation without these two parameters.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has translated the theoretical rights to practical reality," he said.
Akbar said Bangladesh people elect Sheikh Hasina again and again as the country is marching on the road to a trillion-dollar economy with inclusive growth.
Glorifying the heroism of the freedom fighters, he said, freedom was not handed to Bangladesh, but Bangladesh earned it.
And today, he said, Bangladesh has become a nation of opportunities under the leadership of the able daughter of its founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The former Indian state minister said the peaceful settlement of border dispute between Bangladesh and India can be a lesson for the entire world.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Rector of Foreign Service Academy, Mashfee Binte Shams also spoke on the occasion.