DHAKA: Nisha Desai Biswal, US Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asia Affairs said that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and USA is not only government to government relations, it is the relation between people to people, civil society to civil society and friend to friend.

She came up with the assertion while addressing program marking the 44th Independence Day at the Bangabandhu Auditorium in Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.

Nisha Desai Biswal, in her remarks, congratulated the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of National and Independence Day.

The program started with the playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States.

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Akramul Qader paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and to all the individuals who sacrificed their lives & honour to achieve the independence.

He also recalled with deep respect the contributions of the US nationals who stood for the cause of Bangladesh.

Highlighting the various aspects of Bangladesh-US bilateral relations as well as multifaceted engagements between the two nations, Ambassador Qader mentioned that, the recent signing of Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) has further broadened the scope for regular interactions between Bangladesh and USA.

He also urged the US Government to allow Bangladesh with certain trade privileges which would further expand the already existing voluminous trade relations. He further reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to work with the US Government to advance the bilateral relations in depth and dimensions and also hoped that the two democracy loving and friendly peoples expect that relations would grow in multiple areas in future.

A good number of high US Government officials & Congressional staffers, Ambassadors & members of diplomatic corps, representatives from think tanks, civil society, media and a large number of Bangladesh Diaspora members attended the reception.

Earlier, in the morning, His Excellency the Ambassador formally hoisted the national flag at the Embassy premises with all the officers and staff members of the Embassy.

 Messages from President Abdul Hamid, of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister A H Mahmood Ali, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam were read out on the occasion.

Special recitations were made by Aminul Islam and Nirupam Dev Nath respectively from the Holy Quran and the Bhagbat Geeta.

A Munazat was offered to seeking eternal peace of the departed souls who had made supreme sacrifices to achieve the country’s Independence in 1971 and for continued peace, prosperity and progress of the country and its people.

BDST: 1208 HRS, MAR 27, 2014