AZM Sajjad Hossain, Washington DC, 5 April : The 52nd Independence and National Day of Bangladesh and the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the USA were celebrated in a befitting and festive manner.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a grand reception to celebrate these historic occasions.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen was present at the reception as the Chief Guest, while U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Deputy Administrator Ambassador Isobel Coleman was spoke as the Guest of Honour.
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif, MP, Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nahim Razzaq, MP, were present at the function as the special guests.
The ceremonial part of the program began with playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. A video message delivered by US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-US bilateral ties was screened.
In his video message, the US Secretary of State said: "I'm delighted to join you in celebrating the five decades of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States." Blinken noted that on April 4, 1972, President Richard Nixon sent a letter to Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, establishing diplomatic ties, predicting that the ties and goodwill between our people would grow for the years to come. Secretary Blinken expressed his hope that the ties between Bangladesh and the US would grow deeper in the coming days through enhanced collaboration in the areas of mutual cooperation and stronger people to people connections.
Foreign Minister Dr Abdul Momen, in his speech, reaffirmed that Bangladesh deeply values its partnership with the United States and the two countries share the similar values and principles for upholding democracy and human dignity and adherence to global peace and security. He said the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is committed to create a stronger, durable and ever-flourishing friendship with the USA. Dr Abdul Momen said Bangladesh-USA economic relationship now stands on a sound footing, and Bangladesh nurtures strong trade and business ties with the United States. He said Bangladesh firmly believes that its relationship with the USA will further flourish in the next 50 years. Foreign Minister Dr. Momen thanked the US government for extending support to Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic and for their persistent commitment and continued efforts towards a durable solution of the Rohingya crisis.
USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, in her remarks, highly praised Bangladesh's tremendous socioeconomic development and said the people of the country have made it clear that they are capable of reaching the next milestone.Ambassador Isobel Coleman said she looks forward to visiting Bangladesh soon and congratulated the people of Bangladesh who revealed to the world the wonders of a magnificent country.
Bangladesh Ambassador Shahidul Islam, in his welcome remarks, stressed on undertaking mutually beneficial programmes, actions and initiatives in the year of 50th anniversary to exhibit the strength of Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance this very important partnership.
The Reception was attended by the members of a high-level delegation from Bangladesh including Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt. Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, high representatives of the US government including White House National Security Council Sr. Director Sumona Guha, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Ms. Anjali Kaur, members of diplomatic community, think tanks, business and media representatives, academia and prominent members of Bangladeshis diaspora in the US.
The Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour, the special guests and high representatives of the Bangladesh and the US government joined in a cake cutting at the end of the Reception. A short cultural event with traditional Bangla song, dance drama and poetry was performed at the end of the Reception.