Email Updates |
YouTube |
Twitter |
Facebook |
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.
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 (Nov. 15: “Raj and I were very fortunate to participate in the President’s really historic three-day visit to India, the President’s longest trip in a foreign country since taking office. President Obama and Prime Minister Singh, I think, took substantive and significant steps to expand and strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The two leaders affirmed that the U.S.-India relationship is indeed an indispensable partnership for the 21st century.
The big headline maker was, of course, the President’s endorsement in his parliament speech of a reformed United Nations that includes India as a permanent member. The two leaders also agreed that the U.S. and Indian delegations in New York should intensify engagement as India joins the UN Security Council in January for a two-year term.
To illustrate our global partnership on nonproliferation, the United States and India decided to take mutual steps to expand U.S.-India cooperation in civil space, defense, and other high-technology sectors. First, the U.S. removed the remaining Indian space and defense entities from the U.S. entity list. Second, the United States agreed to support India’s full membership in the four multilateral export control regimes – the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group, and the Wassenaar Arrangement – and to do so in a phased manner as India takes steps towards full adoption of the regime core requirements. Third, we signed a memorandum of understanding that provides a general framework for cooperation in connection with India’s Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership, which India announced during the 2010 Global Nuclear Security Summit here in Washington, D.C. We intend to give priority to discussion of best practices on the security of nuclear material and facilities, on development of international nuclear security training curricula and programs, and joint outreach on nuclear security issues to our respective nuclear industries.” Full Text»
October 20-22, 2010
The third ministerial-level meeting represents the shared commitment of the U.S. and Pakistan to strengthening the bilateral relationship as a broad partnership based on shared democratic values, mutual respect, trust, and interests. The Dialogue’s thirteen working groups have been meeting regularly both in Washington and in Pakistan and have mutually agreed upon action plans, delineating achievable benchmarks, which they are now working to implement. More» Media Note»
October 13, 2010
Assistant Secreatary Blake (Oct. 13): "I think relations between the United States and Bangladesh are excellent, but I wouldn’t attribute them to anything to do with me. It’s thanks to I think our common interests and to some of the very important steps that Bangladesh has taken not only to be a partner on some of the big global initiatives that the President is interested in, but also the steps that Sheikh Hasina and the government have taken to improve relations with India, and the steps that have been taken I think to improve the situation for the people of Bangladesh." Full Text»
October 13, 2010
[U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, met recently with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni in New York on the margins of September 2010 UN General Assembly].
Assistant Secreatary Blake (Oct. 13): "I was in that meeting. It was a very warm and friendly meeting. Ambassador Holbrooke primarily wanted to brief the Foreign Minister about U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ambassador Holbrooke knows that Bangladesh already is doing quite a lot in Afghanistan, particularly with things like health and education efforts. You also had some of your NGOs who are working inside Bangladesh. So that’s something that we very much welcome, of course. So the two of them discussed in general terms how Bangladesh might do more. I think Bangladesh is taking a very hard look at what more it might be able to do, and we would welcome that. Again, Bangladesh is a leader in the OIC and in the Muslim world, and can send an important message of partnership at this very sensitive time in Afghanistan’s history.
[On the troop contribution]. That’s something for Bangladesh to decide. We’re not making any requests like that. But again, I think we just would like to see Bangladesh contribute in whatever way it thinks it can be most beneficial. The question of things like troops is of course always very sensitive and that’s something that has to be decided by the government itself in consultation with the parties and all other relevant people." Full Text»