Richard Verma, presently serving as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, the second highest position in the State Department, will embark on a trip to India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka from February 18-23. The aim is to bolster America's collaboration with these significant Indo-Pacific allies.
Next week, Richard Verma, the Indian-American Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, will embark on a six-day official visit to India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. His objective is to enhance bilateral ties with these nations and reaffirm America's steadfast commitment to fostering a free, open, secure, and prosperous region. The trip, scheduled from February 18-23, aims to bolster cooperation with these vital Indo-Pacific partners. This visit, occurring shortly after the two-year mark of the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, underscores the United States' enduring dedication to the region's well-being, as stated in a media release.
In New Delhi, Verma is set to engage with senior government officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to further the comprehensive US-Indian global strategic partnership across various domains, including economic development, security, and technology, as per an official statement.
Following his time in India, Verma will proceed to Male to hold discussions with senior officials aimed at advancing mutual priorities such as enhancing economic cooperation and bolstering maritime security. Additionally, he will visit the site planned for the new US Embassy in Male, underscoring efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between the United States and Maldives.
Verma's itinerary will then take him to Colombo, where he will convene with senior officials to bolster US-Sri Lankan defense and maritime security cooperation. Furthermore, he will visit the West Container Terminal at the Port of Colombo, where the United States is providing USD 553 million in financing to support Sri Lanka's ongoing economic recovery and its transformation into a regional shipping hub. Finally, he will engage with civil society leaders to gain insights into democratic governance in Sri Lanka and will meet with government officials to affirm US backing for the protection of free speech and open discourse, according to a statement.
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