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.