Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr., will travel to India and Tajikistan February 18-22, 2013.
In New Delhi, Assistant Secretary Blake and Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan Feldman will lead the U.S. delegation to the second U.S.-India-Afghanistan Trilateral Dialogue February 19. The United States, India and Afghanistan all share a common vision for a strong, peaceful, and prosperous region and have pledged to work together on common challenges and opportunities including combating violent extremism, strengthening cultural exchanges and increasing regional trade and economic integration. The trilateral reflects our mutual commitments to transparency and coordination as Afghanistan continues with it ongoing security, economic and political transitions. This meeting follows the inaugural trilateral consultations held at the Afghan Mission in New York City September 25, 2012.
Assistant Secretary Blake will continue on to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, February 20 to lead the U.S. delegation for the mid-year review of the U.S.-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations. While in Dushanbe, Assistant Secretary Blake will also meet with senior government officials, local business representatives, and civil society leaders.