Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr., arrived in the capital Dhaka Saturday afternoon on a four-day visit to Bangladesh.
During his stay here, Blake will meet senior Bangladesh government officials, civil society leaders and high-level US government officials of the region, officials said.
Mr. Blake is expected to call on Prime Minister Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni on Sunday. He will hold a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Khaleda Zia Saturday evening.
In addition to his activities in Dhaka, the US assistant secretary will travel to Benapole, where he will be briefed on immigration and trafficking issues, and then engage with students and the media at the American Corner in Jessore.
Assistant Secretary Blake will also participate in a one-day Regional Strategic Initiative at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. He will depart on March 23.
Mr. Blake was appointed Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs in May 2009. As Assistant Secretary, he oversees U.S. foreign policy with India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan.
He previously served as Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives from 2006 to mid-2009 and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission in New Delhi, India from 2003 – 2006. This is his second trip to Bangladesh in his current role.
BBN/SSR/AD-19Mar11-7:35 pm (BST)
