Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs

Assistant Secretary Richard A. Boucher heads the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, which 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.
Supporting Afghanistan Assistant Secretary Boucher (April 14): " The NATO and ISAF meeting at Bucharest where President Karzai went was a very good chance, I think, for all of us to come together on a strategy, come together on a commitment, to hear from President Karzai about progress that he’s making and to hear from him about his intentions for things like taking over security for Kabul." Full Text
Afghan Governors April 11, 2008 The Secretary spoke with a delegation of eight Afghan governors who participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program on governance and rural development. Their program began with a one-week program in DC and includes visits to Nebraska, California, and New Mexico. While in DC the group received an overview of the U.S. federal government system and had meetings on Afghan-U.S. relations at the White House, the State Department, the Pentagon, and Congress. President Bush spent about 40 minutes with the group during their visit to the White House. Meetings throughout the remainder of the group’s program will focus on agricultural policy, programs, and practices; agricultural commodities markets; state and local government roles and responsibilities; counter narcotics efforts; and border issues.The program will also afford the governors the opportunity to experience first hand American culture and society. View Video
Central Asia: An Overview Assistant Secretary Boucher (April 8): "[L]et me clearly state that U.S. policy in the region is firmly based on the premise that the five Central Asian nations are sovereign and independent states with whom we should maintain multi-dimensional relations on a broad range of issues. Our policy is to emphasize our relations with Central Asians themselves. We seek to maintain mature bilateral relations with each country based on our foreign policy goals and values and each country’s specific characteristics and dynamics." Full Text | View Video
U.S.-Pakistan Partnership Deputy Secretary Negroponte (Mar. 27): "[T]he U.S.-Pakistan partnership remains strong, and...we envision a continued close, productive alliance that benefits both countries. The United States is committed to working with all of Pakistan’s leaders on the full spectrum of bilateral issues, from fighting violent extremism to improving educational and economic opportunities." Full Text
U.S.-Kyrgyz Relations Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Spratlen (Mar. 18): "The principle purpose of the visit was to participate in the second Comprehensive Policy Dialogue with Foreign Minister Ednan Karabayev. The CPD is an opportunity for the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic to periodically review, at a senior level, the wide range of issues that our two countries discuss together." Full Text