The assurance came when Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin had several meetings with the US officials during his two-day visit to Washington.

Hemayet conveyed Bangladesh government's desire to further expand and deepen the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the US, according to a message received here yesterday.

At his meeting with Deputy National Security Adviser Juan Zarate on Wednesday at the White House, Hemayet said Bangladesh government would like to see more frequent exchange of high-level visits between the two countries to facilitate increased understanding and cooperation at the political level.

He expressed satisfaction at the current level of bilateral cooperation and mentioned that there is great potential for further strengthening them.

The foreign secretary reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to democracy and its principled position of condemnation of extremism in all its forms.

These commitments have seen their forceful and unequivocal expression in Bangladesh prime minister's recent address to the nation, he said.

Zarate recognised Bangladesh as a close ally of the US in its fight against international terrorism. He appreciated various actions taken by the Bangladesh government in bringing to account the perpetrators of the August 17 bombing incidents.

He assured Hemayet of continued US support for Bangladesh's own efforts towards strengthening democratic governance and achieving economic and social progress.

The foreign secretary had a meeting with Peter Rodman, assistant secretary for international security affairs at the Department of Defence.

Rodman appreciated Bangladesh's contribution in various United Nations peacekeeping operations and assured of continued US assistance to strengthen Bangladesh's peacekeeping capability.

He expressed US administration's gratitude for Bangladesh's donation of one million dollars for the victims of recent hurricane Katrina and remarked that this donation meant a lot to the American people.

Rodman said the United States considers Bangladesh as an important strategic partner and friend and that his country will continue to remain engaged with Bangladesh as it has stake in Bangladesh's success.

Hemayet also held meeting with Henry A Crumpton, coordinator for counterterrorism, and John Gastright, deputy assistant secretary for South Asian affairs at the State Department. He briefed them on Bangladesh government's commitment to fighting extremism.

Terming the incident of countrywide bomb blasts of August 17 an attack on democracy, the foreign secretary said the people of Bangladesh are firmly committed to the value of democracy and they will fight any attempt to weaken this commitment.

Bangladesh Ambassador to USA Shamsher M Chowdhury was present at all these meetings.