Bangladesh’s prosperity and counter-terrorism activities under Sheikh Hasina's leadership are highly commendable, said former US Congressman Robert Pittenger on Wednesday.

"Bangladesh is a close partner of the US in combating terrorism in South Asia, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina it continues to make strong economic progress," said Pittenger, also chairman of the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF).

Read: Sheikh Hasina transformed Bangladesh from militancy to a country of peace: Home Minister

He was speaking at a meeting at the Library Hall of the Marriott Hotel in London. The Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, was present on the occasion.

The former US congressman said their relationship with Bangladesh is very important.

Read: IRI Survey: What accounts for Sheikh Hasina’s sustained popularity?

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud arrived in London on Wednesday morning to attend a PI-SF event, an apex forum of the international security arena, with members of parliament from different countries of the world.

"The United States attaches great importance to combating global terrorism, and Bangladesh is a close partner of the United States in combating terrorism in the South Asian region," Pittenger said.

Information Minister Hasan appreciated the role of the US in Bangladesh’s development and progress and in combating militancy and terrorism, and he hoped that this cooperation would be further strengthened.

Read: ‘Sheikh Hasina is a guardian with whom we can share our plights’

The minister is representing Bangladesh at the forum at Central Hall Westminster in London from August 31 to September 1.