Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will embark on a trip to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal from December 3 to December 10, the US State Department announced in an official release on Tuesday. The trip aims to strengthen cooperation with key partners in South Asia to promote regional prosperity and security.
In New Delhi, India, Assistant Secretary Lu will support US-India collaboration in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. He will join Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Daniel Kritenbrink, to lead US participation in the US-India East Asia Consultations. These consultations, along with separate meetings with senior Indian officials, will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on global and regional issues.
On December 5, Assistant Secretary Lu will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, to advance US-Sri Lankan joint efforts to promote sustainable economic growth, combat corruption, and strengthen people-to-people ties. USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Anjali Kaur and Department of the Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary Robert Kaproth will join Lu for meetings with senior officials from Sri Lanka’s new administration and civil society representatives. These discussions will focus on deepening ties with the new government, supporting efforts to combat corruption, and exploring ways the United States can assist Sri Lanka’s governance and economic reform agenda through tailored technical assistance, capacity building, and development programs.
Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he will meet with senior leaders to advance cooperation on environmental protection, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. He will also engage with youth leaders to gain insights into their vision for the future of US-Nepal relations.
Additionally, discussions in Nepal will emphasize the importance of cultural preservation, recognizing the country’s rich heritage as a cornerstone of its identity and a key driver of its tourism and economy.