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.

She recalled Senator Kennedy's message he delivered in Dhaka in February, 1972 immediately after the independence "I have come here to say that America cares."

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

Biswal was addressing the Independence Day reception as guest of honour on Thursday evening at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, according to a message received here today.

Bangladesh Ambassador to US 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 civil and military officials attended the reception.

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