Dhaka: US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal has said the United States cares Bangladesh mentioning that Bangladesh-US relations are larger and stronger than ever.

Biswal recalled Senator Kennedy's message he delivered in Dhaka in February, 1972 immediately after the independence, ‘I've come here to say that America cares.’

Today, 44 years since independence of Bangladesh, she said, the message remains the same: 'America cares.'

The US assistant secretary was addressing the Independence Day reception as a guest of honour on Thursday evening at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC amid patriotic zeal and enthusiasm, according to a message received here on Friday.

Bangladesh ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin, US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, a good number of foreign diplomats, several former US ambassadors to Bangladesh, State Department officials and high military officials attended the reception.

Besides, representatives of the civil society, senior journalists, artists, Awami League leaders of the US chapter and a number of Bangladesh Diaspora turned up to the function held at the Chancery's Bangabandhu auditorium.

Nisha said Bangladesh and the United States are strong partners in countering terrorism and ensuring regional and global security.

Making a flashback on the Banyan tree planted by Senator Kennedy on Dhaka University campus at that time as a symbol of the friendship, she said that Banyan tree (known as Kennedy Tree) has grown large and strong, its roots run deep, its truck stands broad, and its branches reach high.

‘It is larger and stronger than ever, and it is still growing-just like the friendship between our two peoples,’ she added.

Nisha said 'we are optimistic that Bangladeshis-of all political stripes-will demonstrate the foresight and leadership to chart a path toward an inclusive democracy based on peaceful expression.'

Ambassador Ziauddin said Bangladesh and the United States enjoy the best of relations. ‘It is founded on over four decades of friendship, common values, democracy, development cooperation and mutual respect.’

Bangladesh participates in President Barack Obama's four initiatives which include health, food security and climate change, he said, adding the present government is firmly committed to working closely with the United States.

The ambassador said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken personal interests to work with President Obama on the ‘Equal Futures Partnership Initiative’ which pledges a world of equal opportunities for women over the entire spectrum of human activities.

The reception was followed a cultural show rendering patriotic songs and music.

Earlier, in the day ambassador Ziauddin hoisted the national flag on the Embassy premises. Officers and staff members of the Embassy attended the ceremony.

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

A special prayer was offered seeking eternal peace of those 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.