U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr. will travel to China, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan March 16-26, 2011. In Beijing on March 17-18, he will lead a U.S. government delegation to the U.S.-China Sub-Dialogue on Central Asia. Assistant Secretary Blake will also discuss regional issues with government officials, and will meet with scholars and students. He previously participated in a Sub-Dialogue on South Asia in Beijing on May 3-4, 2010.
In Bangladesh, the Assistant Secretary will hold bilateral consultations with the government, and meet civil society leaders and the opposition. He will also attend the Regional Strategic Initiative (RSI) Conference in Dhaka.
In Astana on March 24-25, he will lead the U.S. delegation at the second Annual Bilateral Consultations. Topics will include Afghanistan cooperation, civil society, human rights, and military cooperation. He will meet with students at Nazarbayev University and members of civil society.
