US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Kelly Keiderling has said Bangladesh and India will largely drive the future growth and prosperity of the South Asia region.

Keiderling said her country greatly values its partnerships with the two South Asian countries.

She made the remarks as a US government representative at a reception, organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh jointly with the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, to celebrate the ‘Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day)’.

Keiderling also said the United States observes the abiding friendship between Bangladesh and India and that has remained as a source of strength and stability in the region in the changing the geopolitical scenario.

The reception was organized as part of the joint commemoration of the historic ‘Maitri Diwas’ in 18 foreign capitals, as agreed by the governments of Bangladesh and India.

The programme was attended, among others, by a number of high-ranking US officials, including the Senior Director of the White House National Security Council Sumona Guha, Director General (nominee) of US Foreign Service Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and President of the US-Bangladesh Business Council as well as US-India Business Council Nisha Biswal.

Invited guests from the US government and chambers, diplomats, representatives of business houses and think tanks, members of Bangladeshi and Indian diaspora in the US and officials from both the Embassies also attended the event.

The ceremonial part of the reception began with the observance of a one-minute silence to honor the martyrs of Bangladesh and India in the War of Liberation.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam paid deep tribute to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his unwavering leadership to unite and mobilize the entire nation in their fight for independence.

He also remembered with great respect the three million martyrs of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation and numerous Indian soldiers who fought side by side and laid down their lives.

The Ambassador recalled the great support extended by India during Bangladesh’s independence war and stated that the relations between the two countries have deepened, matured, and expanded in many areas of cooperation over the years.

Ambassador Islam also highlighted the tremendous socio-economic transformation that Bangladesh has experienced in the recent years under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He hoped that Bangladesh and India together with the US would continue to work together in a spirit of mutual support and cooperation to ensure for a prosperous South Asia

Indian Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu, in a video message, said India and Bangladesh today share comprehensive ties that has its origin in the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries since the War of Liberation.

He recalled the ‘inspiring leadership’ of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his relentless efforts in the emergence of an independent Bangladesh.

Ambassador Sandhu stated that friendship between Bangladesh and India keeps growing stronger, as many long-standing matters between the two countries have been resolved amicably.

He underscored the importance of both the countries working together to address the common challenges like terrorism and Covid-19 pandemic to ensure peace and security in the region.

The reception was followed by cultural performances both by Bangladeshi and Indian performers.

A documentary on the 50 years of Bangladesh-India relations was also screened at the event.

The invited guests were served traditional Bangladeshi and Indian cuisines at the end of the programme.