Newsman: The United States looks towards continuation of stronger US- Bangladesh Partnership to the next 50 years. ‘Bangladesh is truly an important strategic partner of the US in the region,’ US State department official said.
“In the last 50 years Bangladesh-USA relations have seen incredible progress between our peoples, economies and governments,” Afreen Akhter, the US Deputy Assistant Sectary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) said.
“The people to people ties between the two countries are very deep,” , Bangladesh is a truly important strategic partner and the US looks forward to next 50 years of strong relationships, she said.
The US deputy assistant secretary Afreen Akhter was speaking in an event at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC to celebrate the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh. The US deputy assistant secretary was the special guest on this auspicious occasion at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
“In a few decades, Bangladesh became an economy powerhouse from largely an agriculture society,” US Deputy Assistant Secretary Afreen Akhter said while mentioning that Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in country’s various sectors.
Afreen Akhter said, Bangladesh is not far to achieve the ‘middle income country ‘status in present time. Millions of people are lifted out from poverty level, this is truly remarkable. Bangladesh is to be proud of its success story.
US- Bangladesh partnership grew deeper beyond the economic cooperation in providing COVID-19 vaccines and addressing climate change issue said Afreen Akhter.
She thanked the Bangladesh government providing shelters for such a huge number of Rohingyas displaced by Myanmar authority.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC said in a news release, Muhammad Imran , Ambassador of Bangladesh to the US , extended heartfelt greetings to the countrymen and expatriate Bangladeshis in his welcome remarks. Ambassador with profound respect recalled the greatest Bengali of all time and the founding Father of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and paid homage to martyrs and dishonored women for their supreme sacrifices in the Liberation War.
Ambassador Imran called upon all to work from their respective position under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building a hunger-and-poverty-free happy and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation and three million martyrs , news release said.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC celebrated country’s 52nd Victory Day on Friday, December ‘18th the day Bangladesh officially declare the victory against West Pakistan in 1971,
The first part of the daylong program began with the hoisting of the National Flag ceremonially on the chancery premises in the morning by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran. A floral wreath was placed at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The messages issued on the occasion of the Victory Day by President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam were read out by Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar, Minister (Commerce) Md. Salim Reza, Counsellor (Public Diplomacy) Arifa Rahman Ruma and Counsellor (Political-I) Mohammad Moniruzzman.
A special prayer took place seeking continued peace, progress and development of the nation as well as eternal peace of the departed soul of martyrs of the Liberation War and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The victory day celebration ended with a colorful presentation of cultural performance. James Brennan Flanigan a member of the US State Department recited a poem of renowned Bengali poet Shamsur Rahman in tribute to the victory day of Bangladesh. Embassy officials and their spouses performed patriotic songs at the event.
Bangladeshi-American cultural organization ‘Dhroopodi’ performed group dances on patriotic songs.
Pictures in memories of Bangladesh liberation war and country’s journey were displayed in the exhibition event.
Counselor Shameema Yasmin Smrite and First Secretary Ataur Rahman conducted the events in daylong celebration program.
Ambassadors and senior diplomats from different countries, senior officials of the US government and members of Bangladeshi Diaspora and family members of the officials and employees of the Embassy were present on the occasion.
