US Assistant Secretary of State to visit SL next week

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper will travel to Sri Lanka next week to discuss security, counterterrorism and other matters of mutual interest.

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs  R. Clarke Cooper

US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs R. Clarke Cooper travels to Singapore, India, and Sri Lanka 29 May - 7 June, 2019, the US Department of State said. 

In Sri Lanka, Assistant Secretary Cooper will meet with government officials and think tank experts to discuss security, peacekeeping, clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance, counterterrorism, and other areas of mutual interest.

The US top official is also scheduled to visit Singapore and India during his tour to South Asia.

In India, Assistant Secretary Cooper will hold talks on defence cooperation and peacekeeping, two key areas of the rapidly growing US-India partnership as envisioned in the Administration’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. US-India bilateral defence trade has risen from virtually zero in 2008 to $15 billion at present. “Talks will focus on supporting India’s role as a Major Defense Partner, expanding our security cooperation, and furthering opportunities for American industry,” the State Department said. In Singapore, Assistant Secretary Cooper will join Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea L. Thompson on a delegation of senior US officials led by Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan for the Shangri-La Dialogue, a forum for exchanges among defence and security policy professionals from across the Indo-Pacific region.

Assistant Secretary Cooper will also meet with senior civilian and military officials from countries around the globe to discuss US partnerships in regional security, maritime security, and defence trade efforts that contribute to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.