# South and Central Asia – United States Department of State

- Elections in India Matthew Miller, Department SpokespersonThe United States congratulates Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the National Democratic Alliance on their victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha general elections.  With approximately 650 million voters casting their ballots over the past six weeks, these elections represent the largest exercise in democracy in human history.  We commend Indian voters, poll workers, civil society, and journalists for their commitment and vital contributions to India’s democratic processes and institutions.We look forward to continuing to further our partnership with the Indian government to promote prosperity and innovation, address the climate crisis, and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
- Joint Statement on the United States-Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue Office of the SpokespersonThe text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the annual United States-Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue.Begin Text:On May 31, 2024, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu welcomed First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Akan Rakhmetullin and a Kazakh delegation to Washington for the sixth annual United States-Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue (ESPD).  This strategic dialogue was created to identify new opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation and serves as a platform for advancing shared political, economic, security, and human rights priorities. The ESPD builds upon over 30 years of bilateral relations and underscores the United States’ unwavering support for Kazakhstan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.Participants expressed their intentions to continue to enhance regional cooperation on border security, counterterrorism, non-proliferation, and transnational threats in the year ahead, including through the C5+1 Security Working Group.  The United States and Kazakhstan discussed the repatriations of Kazakh foreign fighters and their family members from Syria to Kazakhstan and the reintegration of those family members into society.  Participants also discussed deepening multilateral cooperation to support the principles of the UN charter, underscoring both countries’ dedication to fostering a more secure and prosperous region through sustained dialogue.The two sides reflected on the outcomes of the third annual United States-Kazakhstan High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms, held on May 20 in Astana, and underscored their ongoing commitment to advancing respect for human rights, including freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief; and labor and disability rights.  Both delegations also discussed support for legislative efforts to increase gender equality and strengthen protections for women and children against domestic violence.  Participants reiterated their intent to work together to develop and implement torture prevention programs and explore prospects for closer collaboration and data-sharing to prevent, identify, and eliminate trafficking in persons, bring perpetrators to justice, and increase protections for victims.Participants also discussed deepening bilateral economic cooperation and promoting construction of resilient infrastructure along the Trans-Caspian Transportation Corridor to support future exports from Central Asia.  Delegations also discussed emerging areas for economic partnership, including bilateral technical assistance and cooperation to develop Kazakhstan’s critical minerals sector.  They expressed support for continuing to work toward permanent normal trade relations, which will further strengthen the bilateral trade relationship. Both delegations look forward to building upon the success of new cooperation within the C5+1 Critical Minerals Dialogue and the Minerals Security Partnership Forum to increase the region’s role in global critical minerals supply chains, strengthen economic cooperation, and contribute to the world’s clean energy transition. The parties underlined the importance of infrastructure development for sustainable trade routes through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.Participants exchanged views on the revitalized United States-Kazakhstan Strategic Energy Dialogue to support a secure, clean, and resilient energy future for Central Asia.  The United States and Kazakhstan expressed their mutual readiness to implement the United States-Kazakhstan Joint Statement on Accelerating Methane Mitigation to Achieve the Global Methane Pledge.  These efforts include accelerating technical engagement to implement methane mitigation solutions, identifying projects and investment tools to reduce methane emissions, and announcing near-term steps to develop national standards for methane reduction in Kazakhstan’s oil and gas sector.Assistant Secretary Lu and First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rakhmetullin acknowledged the ESPD remains a valuable format to advance bilateral cooperation and expand coordination across the full spectrum of United States-Kazakhstan relations.  Both sides expressed a strong interest in deepening the bilateral strategic partnership in the year ahead, including through future strategic dialogues.  Delegations closed the meeting by reaffirming their intention to convene the next ESPD in Astana in 2025.End Text.
- Special Representative McAuliffe to Travel to India for WiSci South Asia Camp Office of the SpokespersonFrom June 7-8, Special Representative for Global Partnerships Dorothy McAuliffe will travel to Kochi, India to meet participants and deliver closing remarks at the WiSci (Women in Science) South Asia STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and design, and mathematics) Camp.From June 1-9, this all-girls immersive camp will bring together nearly 100 secondary school girls from India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and the United States to offer skills-building, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities in various STEAM fields. Interactive curriculum and workshops are developed and led by industry experts from the U.S. private sector. WiSci camps advance the U.S. Department of State&#8217;s gender equality priorities by investing in girls’ education and leadership development globally.Following Special Representative McAuliffe’s engagements in Kochi, she will travel to various cities in India to meet key stakeholders and discuss partnerships with the U.S. Department of State. She will also meet alumni of past Office of Global Partnerships initiatives, including the winners of the 2022 P3 Impact Award and recipients of the Office of Global Partnerships’ COVID-19 Private Sector Engagement and Partnership Fund.About WiSciThe WiSci South Asia STEAM Camp 2024 is a collaborative public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships, the UN Foundation’s Girl Up, the Caterpillar Foundation,Google, United Airlines, and the TE Connectivity Foundation. Since 2015, more than 1,200 girls from 34 countries have participated in WiSci Camps.For media inquiries and further information on WiSci Camp South Asia, please contact the Office of Global Partnerships here or implementing partner GirlUp here . Follow @GPatState on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube for more updates.
- Designation of Former Bangladeshi Official for Significant Corruption Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;Designation of Former Bangladeshi Official for Significant Corruption				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										Designation of Former Bangladeshi Official for Significant Corruption																																		Press Statement																														May 20, 2024																																							The U.S. Department of State announced today the public designation of former General Aziz Ahmed, previously Chief of the Bangladesh Army Staff, due to his&nbsp;involvement in significant corruption.&nbsp; His actions have contributed to the undermining of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the public’s faith in public institutions and processes.Aziz Ahmed engaged in significant corruption by interfering in public processes while helping his brother evade accountability for criminal activity in Bangladesh. &nbsp;Aziz also worked closely with his brother to ensure the improper awarding of military contracts and accepted bribes in exchange for government appointments for his personal benefit.This designation reaffirms&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S. commitment to&nbsp;strengthening democratic institutions and rule of law in Bangladesh. &nbsp;The United States&nbsp;supports anticorruption efforts in Bangladesh through assistance to make government services&nbsp;more transparent and affordable,&nbsp;improve the business and regulatory environment, and build capacity in investigating and prosecuting money laundering and other financial crimes.&nbsp;These public designations are made under Section 7031(c) of the annual Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.&nbsp; This action renders Aziz and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States.						Tags																																											Anti-Corruption and Transparency																															Bangladesh																								Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs																								Division for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions																								Office of the Spokesperson																																Sanctions
- United States – Kazakhstan High Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms Office of the Spokesperson													HomeOffice of the SpokespersonPress Releases&#8230;United States – Kazakhstan High Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms				hide		if(window.jQuery) {		jQuery( document ).ready(function() {			if (jQuery(".bc_middle").hasClass("collapse")) {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});				jQuery(".bc_hide").click(function(){					jQuery(".bc_hide").toggleClass("visible");					jQuery(".bc_middle").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_ellipse").toggle();					jQuery(".bc_content").toggleClass("noflex");					jQuery(".block_breadcrumbs_content").toggleClass("noflex");				});			} else {				jQuery(".bc_ellipse").hide();			}		});	}																										United States – Kazakhstan High Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms																																		Media Note																														May 20, 2024																																							The United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan convened the third annual United States-Kazakhstan High-Level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms on May 20, 2024, in Astana, Kazakhstan.&nbsp; The U.S. delegation was led by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya.&nbsp; The Kazakh delegation was led by Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for External Affairs, Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhan.During the dialogue, the United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan underscored their commitment to advancing human rights.&nbsp; The delegations discussed a range of key issues, including rule of law; protection of freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and freedom of religion or belief; protection of members of vulnerable and marginalized populations; disability rights; and multilateral cooperation, including with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and C5+1 Platform.&nbsp;Protection of human rights, including freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly, and respect for independent media are essential for a healthy and thriving democracy.&nbsp; The United States reaffirmed its strong support for the full implementation of President Tokayev’s reform agenda and commended the Republic of Kazakhstan for progress made in the advancement of human rights including the passage of the April 2024 law recriminalizing domestic violence, a very important step in protecting survivors.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the same time, the U.S. delegation encouraged advancement of Kazakhstan’s reform efforts with the full participation of, and in consultation with, civil society partners for transparency and accountability.&nbsp; Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are integral to a prosperous, vibrant “New Kazakhstan,” where independent media, civil society groups, and political parties can operate freely, without undue restrictions.						Tags																					Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs																								Kazakhstan																								Office of the Spokesperson
- Under Secretary Zeya’s Travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan Office of the SpokespersonUnder Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya will travel to Astana, Kazakhstan and Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 19-23 to engage on democratic governance and rule of law; human rights and protection of vulnerable populations; and religious freedom.In Astana, Under Secretary Zeya will lead the U.S. delegation at the third annual United States-Kazakhstan High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms to underscore our partnership and support for Kazakhstan’s domestic reforms.  At the HLD, she will engage government partners on freedom of expression and media, freedom of association, political participation, rule of law, and protection of vulnerable populations.  Additionally, the Under Secretary will meet with civil society representatives to advance democratic values and commend Kazakhstan’s efforts to address domestic violence.In Tashkent, Under Secretary Zeya will give remarks at the Academic Conference on Constitutional Criminal Procedures, hosted by Regional Dialogue, to bolster Uzbekistan’s ongoing implementation of constitutional reforms on human rights and equal access to justice.  She will also engage senior government officials, civil society, and human rights defenders to promote gender equality, combat gender-based violence, support religious freedom, and protect vulnerable populations.For further information, please follow @UnderSecStateJ  on X and @UnderSecStateJ  on LinkedIn.
- Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Lu’s Travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh Office of the SpokespersonAssistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will travel to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh May 10—15. His trip will strengthen bilateral cooperation with each country and demonstrate U.S. support for a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.In Chennai, Assistant Secretary Lu will meet with Consulate personnel to bolster bilateral engagement in southern India.He will then travel to Colombo to engage with officials from across the political spectrum and deepen the United States’ partnership with Sri Lanka. In his meetings, he will reaffirm the United States’ support for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, as well as the importance of a robust civil society as a cornerstone of a free and democratic society.Assistant Secretary Lu will conclude his trip in Dhaka, where he will meet with government officials, civil society leaders, and other Bangladeshis to discuss U.S.-Bangladesh cooperation, including on addressing the climate crisis and deepening economic ties.
- Under Secretary Bass Travel to Qatar and Pakistan Office of the SpokespersonActing Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass will travel to Qatar and Pakistan April 26-30.In Doha, Qatar, he will meet with senior Qatari government officials and other diplomatic missions to discuss support for Afghanistan and shared security interests in the region.In Islamabad, Pakistan, Under Secretary Bass will meet with senior Pakistani government officials to discuss a range of regional and bilateral issues as part of the U.S.-Pakistani partnership.
- Joint Statement on the United States-Kyrgyz Republic Annual Bilateral Consultations Office of the SpokespersonThe text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Kyrgyz Republic on the occasion of the 2024&nbsp;United States-Kyrgyz Republic&nbsp;Annual Bilateral Consultations (ABCs).Begin Text:The Deputy Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Aibek Moldogaziev and&nbsp;U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs John Mark Pommersheim led successful Annual Bilateral Consultations on April 22, 2024, in Bishkek.&nbsp;Noting the historic&nbsp;C5+1 Summit held on September 22, 2023, in New York, the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States emphasized the C5+1 format’s positive impact on regional cooperation and the U.S.-Kyrgyz’ collective commitment to enhancing the U.S.-Central Asia regional partnership. Both Deputy Foreign Minister&nbsp;Moldogaziev and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim reaffirmed the importance of the ABCs in advancing shared priorities, including those related to political and security cooperation, economic partnership and support for civil society and rule of law.Political and Security CooperationThe participants discussed security cooperation, including counterterrorism, border protection, global health security, and continued defense cooperation.&nbsp; The United States reiterated its unwavering support for the Kyrgyz Republic’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence throughout the 32 years of U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral partnership.Economic PartnershipThe United States applauded the Kyrgyz Republic’s commitment to developing the creative economy. The participants discussed future opportunities to work together such as providing opportunities for Kyrgyzstani leaders in this field to network, exchange ideas, and demonstrate the latest trends and technologies. The participants underscored their continued commitment to grow and diversify the Kyrgyz economy, increase U.S. private sector investment, improve regional connectivity and trade, protect public health, advance partnership on critical minerals and the green economy, create economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and expand agricultural cooperation.Civil Society and Rule of LawThe Kyrgyz Republic and the United States acknowledged&nbsp;media freedom, a strong civil society, respect for human rights &#8211; including the rights of women &#8211; stronger protections against gender-based violence, judicial independence, and combating corruption are integral to achieving our shared goal of a resilient, prosperous, and secure Kyrgyz Republic.&nbsp;&nbsp;The United States and the Kyrgyz Republic discussed the importance of continuing to increase cooperation through educational and English language programming. The participants noted people-to-people ties&nbsp;are an important element&nbsp;of the U.S.-Kyrgyz bilateral relationship.Deputy Foreign Minister&nbsp;Moldogaziev and Deputy Assistant Secretary Pommersheim expressed their commitment to the Kyrgyz &#8211; U.S. partnership and their intention to hold the next Annual Bilateral Consultations in Washington in 2025.End Text.						Tags																					Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs																								Kyrgyzstan																								Office of the Spokesperson
- Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Elizabeth Richard Travel to Türkiye Office of the SpokespersonDepartment of State Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Elizabeth Richard will visit Ankara, Türkiye, April 22 for the U.S.-Türkiye Counterterrorism Consultation. The United States and Türkiye relaunched their counterterrorism consultations at the Strategic Mechanism meetings in Washington D.C. in March 2024.Ambassador Richard and Turkish government counterparts will broaden and strengthen U.S.-Türkiye counterterrorism cooperation to thwart terrorist travel; combat terrorism-related networks engaged in organized crime; ensure the defeat of terrorist organizations such as PKK, DHKP-C, and ISIS in Syria and Iraq; and cooperate to counter the threat of ISIS and al-Qa&#8217;ida affiliates present in Africa and South and Central Asia. Ambassador Richard will also engage Turkish officials on ways to further combat exploitation of global finance channels by terrorist organizations.