Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will embark on a diplomatic trip to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and India from November 4 to 11. The visit aims further to enhance cooperation between the United States and these countries, building on the success of recent engagements, including the C5+1 initiative.
The C5+1 framework, which includes the United States and the five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), seeks to promote regional cooperation and address shared challenges. Assistant Secretary Lu's trip follows the inaugural C5+1 Presidential Summit held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September and the subsequent C5+1 Regional Connectivity Ministerial in October.
During his time in Kazakhstan, Assistant Secretary Lu will discuss with senior government officials and participate in the U.S.-Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD). The ESPD will cover a wide range of issues, including political and security cooperation, economic partnership, human rights protection, and people-to-people ties. Additionally, Assistant Secretary Lu will interact with civil society organizations to advance the empowerment of women and girls and advocate for media freedom.
In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Assistant Secretary Lu will lead the U.S. delegation for the U.S.-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership Dialogue (SPD). The dialogue will focus on expanding security cooperation, addressing regional challenges, strengthening people-to-people ties, and promoting trade and investment diversification. Assistant Secretary Lu will also engage with civil society groups working on human rights issues. The visit to both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan will reaffirm the United States' steadfast commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of these nations.
Assistant Secretary Lu and the U.S. delegation will travel to India to meet with partners ahead of the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The discussions will encompass strategic coordination on regional and global issues, clean energy initiatives, and security cooperation. Assistant Secretary Lu will support Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin in advancing critical areas of collaboration, including defence and security, regional developments, emerging technologies, and cooperation in clean energy and space.
Throughout the trip, Assistant Secretary Lu will work to strengthen the C5+1 framework, fostering regional cooperation and addressing common challenges in South and Central Asia. The United States remains committed to deepening partnerships with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and India, and promoting shared prosperity and stability in the region.
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