Dhaka: US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat has said the relationship between Bangladesh and America is now very vibrant, multi-faceted and indispensable.

‘It’s because of our shared values that the relationship between America and Bangladesh is so vibrant, multi-faceted and indispensable,’ she said.

The US diplomat made the remarks in a message issued on the occasion of the 239th anniversary of America’s independence that will be celebrated on Saturday.

Bernicat also said Bangladesh, too, has strong democratic roots and a constitution that protects individuals’ rights like the United States of America.

‘We believe that all people - from Mayflower descendant to recent immigrant, from deaf to hearing, from Mormon to Muslim, from gay to straight - are entitled to certain unalienable rights, which our democracy continuously strives to recognise and protect. These beliefs, among others, are not unique to America,’ she said.

‘We invite our Bangladeshi friends and partners to join us in celebrating the birth of our nation on 4 July,’ she said.

Two hundred and thirty-nine years ago, the United States of America was founded on the belief that ‘all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, the US diplomat mentioned.

‘These are values that continue to ring true for millions of Americans to this day. Over the years, however, our beliefs evolved to include an ever more diverse American people,’ Bernicat said.