In the final days of the Biden administration, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, is set to embark on a diplomatic tour across South Asia, with visits planned to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to 10.
The trip is designed to bolster the United States’ ties with key partners in the region, focusing on promoting regional prosperity, security, and collaboration on pressing global and regional issues.
In New Delhi, Lu will join Daniel Kritenbrink, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, to co-lead the US participation in the US-India East Asia Consultations. This high-level engagement, complemented by discussions with senior Indian officials, will address a range of topics, with particular emphasis on strengthening US-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
On December 5, Lu will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where he will work to deepen US-Sri Lankan relations. His efforts will include advancing initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable economic growth, combating corruption, and enhancing people-to-people ties. USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Department of Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth will accompany him for meetings with senior Sri Lankan government officials and civil society representatives. Discussions will explore ways the US can support Sri Lanka’s governance and economic reforms through tailored technical assistance and capacity-building programs.
The final leg of the tour will take Lu to Kathmandu, Nepal, where he will meet with senior government leaders to advance cooperation on environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. Lu will also engage with youth leaders to hear their perspectives on the future of US-Nepal relations. A key theme of the discussions will be the importance of preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage, recognizing its pivotal role in the nation’s identity and as a major driver of its tourism and economy.
The trip underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in South Asia, with a focus on advancing shared goals for regional stability, sustainable development, and democratic governance.
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