Last week the Japanese city of Nagoya witnessed the gathering of the leaders from world’s seven rich countries along with leaders of the seven developing nations. Among the leaders of the developing nations was Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The heads of state and government came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and host Japan. The seven rich nations grouped in a forum called G-7 met for their annual summit meeting where they discussed mainly global economy and terrorism. It has been a practice for some years for the G-7 nations to meet with the leaders of some selected developing countries (also seven) at the outreach where the leaders focused on the growth of Asian economy and development of infrastructures. Apart from Bangladesh PM the outreach meeting was attended by leaders from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Chad.
When the summit leaders met with the outreach leaders the show was stolen by Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh leader, with her confident gestures and disarming smile, won the hearts of the other leaders. At the meeting she got herself seated just by the side of the US President Barack Obama who looked to pleased to exchange pleasantries with her. Canadian Prime Minister Justine Trudeau, who was born in 1971, the year Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan, was so sweet in exchanging greetings with Hasina as if she was the motherly figure. Television footage and still photos showed Trudeau to rise from his seat and come to Hasina to whisper his pleasantries. It looked like he was overwhelmed with the stately personality of the Bangladesh leader who returned the gestures with her heartwarming smile. German Chancellor Angela Merkel too appeared very glad to greet Hasina and talk to her. Besides, there had been importance chitchats among the leaders in the corridors of the meeting venue where important issues are generally sorted out during such high-profile meetings. Hasina also held bilateral meetings with British PM David Cameron and Japanese PM Abe.
Over the last few years Hasina has taken her international profile to a new height. She has been vocal and pro-active on issues like coordinated efforts to fight global terrorism and the adverse impact of climate change. She has transformed herself from a regional leader into a global leader. The world today pays attention to what she says on the issues that affect the global economy and politics. Her achievements though did not come in a day. Since winning the election in 2008 and forming the post-emergency rule government at a time when the global economy was fighting recession Hasina steered Bangladesh not only away from a decline but got her vibrant nation going strong overcoming serious political troubles at home. The country’s political opposition, in the form of Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Khaleda Zia, unleashed a campaign of petrol bomb attacks and destruction that saw deaths of many innocent citizens and a dent in the economy. A strong-willed Hasina overcame Khaleda’s challenges to remain focused on her tasks: stabilization of politics, continuation of development work, building the infrastructures, empowerment of women, education, health and measures to redress the impact of climate change.
As Hasina narrated the success stories Bangladesh has written under her strong leadership, the world leaders listened intently and cheered her. She had been confident at the meeting as she had success stories to tell the leaders from the wealthy nations. Bangladesh, under her leadership, has achieved self sufficiency in food for its 160 million people; the economy has been growing at a rate above 7 per cent; the life expectancy has increased to over 73; more girls going to school and rate of maternal mortality has come down. Most importantly, the rate of poverty has come from 33 per cent several years ago to below 23 per cent. Bangladesh, she told the G-7 leaders, has been going ahead overcoming all odds.
No wonder the world leaders appeared charmed and appreciative.
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