Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, is set to visit India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to December 10. The purpose of his trip is to enhance cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security.
In New Delhi, India, Assistant Secretary Lu will focus on U.S.-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. He will be joined by Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, to lead U.S. participation in the U.S.-India East Asia Consultations. These consultations, along with meetings with senior Indian officials, aim to exchange perspectives on global and regional issues.
On December 5, Lu will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka. His agenda includes advancing joint efforts between the U.S. and Sri Lanka to promote sustainable economic growth and combat corruption while strengthening people-to-people ties. USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Department of the Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth will accompany him for meetings with senior government officials from Sri Lanka’s new administration and civil society representatives. Discussions are expected to deepen ties with the new government and explore support for Sri Lanka’s governance and economic reform agenda through technical assistance, capacity building, and development programs.
The final leg of Lu's trip will be in Kathmandu, Nepal. There he plans to meet with senior leaders to advance cooperation on environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. Additionally, he will engage with youth leaders to understand their vision for future U.S.-Nepal relations. The discussions will also highlight cultural preservation as a vital part of Nepal's identity and economy.
