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Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. |
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Assistant Secretary Blake: "Central Asia is a region of significant importance to U.S. national interests. Recognizing the uniqueness of each of the five Central Asian nations and their sovereignty and independence, U.S. policy supports the development of fully sovereign, stable democratic nations, integrated into the world economy and cooperating with one another, the United States, and our partners, to advance regional security and stability." |
Assistant Secretary Blake (Sept. 14): "This powerful legacy has touched generations in both of our countries and made both of our societies stronger as a result. We are so pleased to be continuing this important bilateral cooperation and I also wanted to thank and commend Fulbright executive director Tissa Jayatilaka for his leadership of the Fulbright Commission for more than two decades." Full Text»
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Pyatt (June 21): "Economic Statecraft is not just about commercial diplomacy; it is about how we manage the global economy in furtherance of prosperity and American leadership. It stems from a recognition of the critical linkages between American jobs and U.S. relationships around the world. Under Economic Statecraft, engaging with entrepreneurs and businesses like all of you is firmly part of our mandate.” Full Text»
Assistant Secretary Blake (June 7): “The U.S.-India partnership is much more than a quest for “the next big thing” – or in diplomatic-speak “the next big deliverable.” The United States and India have proven year after year that our annual dialogue has produced a widening record of cooperation and dividends. Both countries leverage a whole-of-government approach in order to address global challenges like energy security, global prosperity, women’s empowerment, and health. We also make sure that our work draws on and is informed by the work of our businesspeople, scientists, social entrepreneurs, and others. The synergy of this collective effort is one of the strength of our relations.” Full Text»
Assistant Secretary Blake (June 4): “There is perhaps no country in the world with whom we have traveled faster and farther than India over the last ten years. While the extensive consultations we have on a government-to-government level are an essential part of our ever-expanding bilateral relationship, its heart, its core, is all of you – the incredible citizens of both countries.” Full Text»
At the invitation of Ambassador Crocker, a six-member delegation of the World Affairs Councils (WAC) visited Kabul March 25-31, sponsored by the Department of State’s International Information Programs Bureau Speakers Program. While in Kabul, the WAC delegation met with President Karzai, Afghan Ministers, and Members of Parliament, as well as civil society groups such as youth, media, women, and private organizations such as the Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the American Chamber of Commerce. Delegation head Maria Zammit wrote of her experience, “Many of us came to Afghanistan believing that it was time [for the United States] to pull the plug – too much blood and treasure already wasted. But witnessing first hand some of the many accomplishments that have been achieved, including those of various women’s groups and other members of Afghanistan’s public and private sectors, opened our eyes to so many gains worth preserving. Full Text»
