11 June 2019 09:14 am
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to make a brief visit to Sri Lanka end of this month, US State Department said.
“Pompeo will express America's solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka as they stand united against the despicable Easter Sunday terrorist attacks,” State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters.
He will also discuss promising opportunities for US-Sri Lanka cooperation based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, she added.
She said that Pompeo will travel Colombo during a visit to Indo-Pacific region on June 24 through June 30 to “broaden and deepen America's partnership with key countries to advance their shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
"The secretary's first stop will be in New Delhi, India. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's recent election victory provides an excellent opportunity for him to implement his vision for a strong and prosperous India that plays a leading role on the global stage," she said.
Pompeo will preview elements of a cooperative agenda during his remarks at the India Ideas Summit at the US Chamber of Commerce, she said.
His next stop will be in Colombo, she added.
Pompeo will then travel to Osaka, Japan, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from June 28 -29, the first such gathering hosted by Japan.
Following the G20 Summit, Pompeo will accompany Trump to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in.