Dhaka: US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Thomas A Shannon has praised Bangladesh as a global example of tolerant, pluralistic and moderate nation and said Bangladesh matters to the President Trump administration.

“To Trump administration, Bangladesh matters, our friendship matters and our partnership matters,” he said speaking as the guest of honour at the Independence Day reception at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Tuesday, said a press release on Wednesday.

Ambassador Shannon who visited Dhaka in 2015 said he was impressed by idealism, optimism and resolution of the people of Bangladesh.

During the visit, he said he gave a single message which is Bangladesh matters to the United States, it matters to South Asia and it matters to the globe.

“Bangladesh is our most important regional partner,” Shannon told the reception attended by US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ambassador William E Todd, former US Ambassadors to Bangladesh, important officials from the Department of State, Justice, Commerce, Homeland and other departments of the US government.

Besides, envoys of foreign missions, politicians, intellectuals, academics, businessmen, high civil and military officials, senior journalists and leading members of the Bangladesh community attended the reception in large number at the Bangabandhu Auditorium in the evening.

Ambassador Shannon said although a relatively young nation Bangladesh has made tremendous progress, and what Bangladesh has accomplished in four-and- a-half decades other countries took century to accomplish.

Referring to Bangladesh’s War of Liberation in 1971, he said the people of Bangladesh fought and died for liberty which would inspire future generation to continue their struggle for liberty, democracy and tolerance.

Offering his condolence for the killing of six people in recent terrorist act in Sylhet city, Shannon said the tragic event underscores the need for continued partnership in the fight against terrorism.

He said Bangladesh and the United States will confront the challenges together with courage, resolve and strength.

The Ambassador said the USA is proud of the partnership with Bangladesh. “We admire your achievement since independence,” he said and expressed US intention to work together with Bangladesh in the years ahead.

Earlier, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin said Dhaka is keen to further strengthen the existing relations with the support of the new US government.

Quoting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s congratulatory letter to President Donald Trump immediately after his election, Ambassador Ziauddin said the Prime Minister wants to work closely with President Trump for “advancing our bilateral and multilateral interests” and contribute to creating a safe and secure world.

He said currently, Bangladesh and the USA work together on a host of areas of common interests that include partnership dialogue of senior officials, and security and defence cooperation.