<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Afreen Akhter has said the United States sees Bangladesh as a “truly important strategic partner" and looks forward to working over the next 50 years for a stronger relationship.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">She said in the last 50 years Bangladesh-US relations have seen incredible progress between the peoples, economies and governments.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">The people-to-people ties between the two countries are very deep, she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Praising Bangladesh's progress in different sectors, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary said Bangladesh's economy has expanded from largely agriculture society to economic powerhouse over the just few decades.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a story to really be proud of that Bangladesh has lifted millions of people out of poverty and the country will achieve the middle-income status within generations, which is truly remarkable, she said while speaking at a Victory Day function in Washington.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beyond the economic cooperation, Afreen mentioned the close partnership between the two countries in providing COVID-19 vaccines and addressing climate change issue. She thanked the Bangladesh government for hosting some 1,1 million Rohingya from Myanmar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC celebrated the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh, remembering the valiant freedom fighters who fought and made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of long-aspired independence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To commemorate the day, the Embassy arranged a daylong program.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day's first part of the programme began with the hoisting of the national flag ceremonially on the chancery premises in the morning by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Imran.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Officials and employees of the embassy were present at that time.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, the Ambassador along with officials and employees of the embassy placed a wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Corner of the embassy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The messages issued on the occasion of the Victory Day by President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam were read out by Deputy Chief of Mission Ferdousi Shahriar, Minister (Commerce) Md. Salim Reza, Counsellor (Public Diplomacy) Arifa Rahman Ruma and Counsellor (Political-I) Mohammad Moniruzzman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A special prayer was held seeking peace, progress and development of the nation as well as eternal peace of the departed soul of martyrs of the Liberation War and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was offered.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A discussion was held later.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambassador Imran recalled with profound respect the greatest Bengali of all time and the founding Father of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also paid deep homage to three million martyrs for their supreme sacrifices and two 2 lakh women who sacrificed in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day’s other program ended with a colourful cultural function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The artistes of Dhroopodi, a Bangladeshi-American cultural organisation, performed group dances on patriotic songs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Counsellor Shameema Yasmin Smrite and First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman conducted the day’s programme. The embassy also arranged a photo exhibition on the day. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>