Robert Blake, U.S. Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, is travelling to India during March 17-30, the State Department announced on Wednesday. He will also visit Afghanistan and Pakistan for the first time in his role as Assistant Secretary.
Focussing on U.S.-India business relations, Mr. Blake is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Asia Society Corporate Conference in New Delhi on March 20 and hold consultations with Indian and American business representatives.
He will also use the visit to conduct discussions with his counterparts in the Ministry of External Affairs “to prepare for the U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue in Washington in early summer,” according to a statement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Mr. Blake's visit to Afghanistan will revolve around meetings with embassy officials in Kabul and local officials in Kunduz and discussions with the Provincial Reconstruction Team.
In Pakistan, he would plan to speak with federal and provincial officials, civil society representatives, religious leaders and business representatives in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore, the State Department added.