| | Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
 Assistant Secretary Richard A. Boucher heads the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, which deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Travel to Region by Assistant Secretary Boucher
 From March 30 to April 12, following up on President Bush's recent visits to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India Ambassador Boucher has traveled to those three countries as well as to Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, meeting with Embassy staff, government officials, organizations and private individuals. In Afghanistan he participated in a conference of Afghans and Central Asians on building economic cooperation and discussed reconstruction, economic development, drug eradication and coordination of Afghan and international efforts to deal with extremists and improve security. In Pakistan Ambassador Boucher focused on strengthening bilateral economic ties, energy cooperation, counter terrorism, democratization and strengthening educational institutions. In India the main topics of interest were building our economic relationship, continuing to move ahead on the Civil Nuclear Cooperation initiative and Nepal. In Kazakhstan his agenda included increasing regional cooperation, security and strengthening democratic institutions. In the Kyrgyz Republic he discussed regional integration, strengthening civil society and the media, constitutional reform and corruption. more on travel
U.S.-India Nuclear Energy Cooperation
![Secretary Rice testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement [© AP/WWP]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060426030316im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2006_04_05_testimony_140.jpg) Secretary Rice (Apr. 5): "India is a rising global power that we believe can be a pillar of stability in a rapidly changing Asia. ...In short, India is a natural partner for the United States." more from Senate testimony l House testimony l
Under Secretary Burns (Mar. 16): "We're confident that this is a deal that is good for our country, as well as India, as well as a nonproliferation regime." full text | Watch | Listen | more on India's Civilian Nuclear Program
U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership
![Secretary Rice speaks at a joint press conference alongside the President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, in London, Monday Jan. 30, 2006. [© AP/WWP]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060426030316im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2006_01_30_rice_karzai_1402.jpg) Secretary Rice (Jan. 30): “These business leaders are going to lead private sector assistance in training and mentoring Afghan entrepreneurs in attracting future foreign investments and in leading business delegations to Afghanistan so that as the infrastructure and the economy grow, that it has a healthy private sector element to that growth.” Strategic Partnership between the United States and Afghanistan | More
President Bush Affirms Strategic Partnership With Pakistan
 President Bush (Mar. 4): "Pakistan's efforts to enhance peace and security have earned the respect and the admiration of the American people. When the terrorists are defeated, and when the peace is won, our two nations will share the peace together." full text | Joint Statement | Fact Sheet | more from trip
| | | Highlights | Continuing Political Crisis in Nepal
Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli (Apr. 24): "The United States salutes the people of Nepal's courage and resilience in their struggle for democracy. The King's speech in Kathmandu late today calls for reinstatement of parliament. We believe that he should now hand power over to the parties and assume a ceremonial role in his country's governance." full statement
India-U.S. Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism
The 7th meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Counterterrorism have advanced US-India cooperation in areas of common concern such as bioterrorism, aviation security, advancements in biometrics, cyber-security and terrorism, WMD-terrorism, terrorist finance and money laundering and violent extremism. joint statement | more on U.S. - India Relations
Supporting Human Rights: The U.S. Record
Secretary Rice: "This report describes the many ways American foreign policy helped citizens and governments around the globe turn their increasing demands for human rights and democracy into programs of action." South Asia l full report
The U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
Secretary Rice (Apr. 5): "...the U.S.-India civil nuclear cooperation initiative is a strategic achievement. It's good for America, it's good for India and it's good for the international community. I know that there is a history that we are trying to overcome, but the time comes when you must deal with the realities and indeed overcome that history." full text | more on India's Civilian Nuclear Program
U.S.-Afghanistan Strategic Partnership
Last May, President Bush and President Karzai jointly announced creation of a Strategic Partnership between the United States and Afghanistan, with the mutual goals of enhancing the long-term security, democracy and prosperity of Afghanistan. more
South Asia 2005 Human Rights Report Released
Secretary Rice, Under Secretary Dobriansky, and Assistant Secretary Lowenkron announced the release of the 2005 State Department Human Rights Report. read
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