Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will visit India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to 10, 2024. The trip aims to strengthen partnerships in South Asia, fostering regional prosperity and security.
During his visit to New Delhi, Assistant Secretary Lu will focus on advancing U.S.-India cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Alongside Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink, he will co-lead the U.S. delegation in the U.S.-India East Asia Consultations.
The U.S. State Department announced on December 2nd that consultations and meetings in New Delhi with senior Indian officials aim to exchange views on “global and regional issues.”
In Colombo on December 5, Assistant Secretary Donald Lu will work on strengthening U.S.-Sri Lankan collaboration in sustainable economic growth, anti-corruption efforts, and fostering people-to-people connections. He will be accompanied by USAID’s Anjali Kaur and Treasury’s Robert Kaproth to meet Sri Lanka’s new government leaders and civil society representatives.
“Discussions will deepen ties with the new government, support its efforts to combat corruption, and explore how the United States can support Sri Lanka’s governance and economic reform agenda through tailored technical assistance, capacity building, and development programs,” added the statement.
He will wrap up his visit to Kathmandu, by engaging with senior leaders to strengthen collaboration on environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development.
The statement elaborated, “He will meet with youth leaders to gain insights into their vision for the future of U.S.-Nepal relations. Additionally, discussions will emphasize the importance of cultural preservation, recognizing Nepal’s rich heritage as a cornerstone of its identity and a key driver of its tourism and economy.”
