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2 senior US officials visit Sri Lanka amid growing focus on Indian ... Home World 2 senior US officials visit Sri Lanka amid growing focus on Indian... World 2 senior US officials visit Sri Lanka amid growing focus on Indian Ocean region PTI 22 June, 2026 11:46 am IST Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Linkedin Follow Us : Text Size: A- A+ Colombo, Jun 22 (PTI) Two senior US officials, including Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, have arrived in Sri Lanka on separate visits focused on defence, security and economic cooperation amid Washington’s growing engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation, officials said on Monday. Schneider arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday for a three-day visit ending June 24, the US Embassy here said. Separately, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur also arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a three-day visit, it said. Show Full Article The high-profile visits assume significance in the backdrop of growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean region, where China has expanded its infrastructure investments and maritime footprint in recent years. The US has been seeking to deepen defence,…

US Sri Lanka ties deepen as top officials visit Colombo for defence and ... Two senior US officials, including Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, have arrived in Sri Lanka on separate three-day visits focused on defence, security and economic cooperation, officials said on Monday. The visits come as Washington steps up engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur and Schneider both arrived in Colombo on Sunday, according to the US Embassy. Their visits come amid growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean region, where China has expanded its infrastructure investments and maritime presence in recent years, while the US has been seeking deeper defence, security and economic ties with countries in the region, including Sri Lanka, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. The embassy said Schneider, who is on a visit ending June 24, will meet senior Sri Lankan government and defence officials, including leaders of the defence ministry and the Sri Lanka Air Force. “Discussions will focus on expanded cooperation across air and maritime domain awareness, cybe…

2 senior U.S. officials visit Sri Lanka amid growing focus on Indian Ocean region The U.S. has been seeking to deepen defence, security and economic engagement with countries in the region, including Sri Lanka, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy

US Pacific Air Forces Commander Visits Sri Lanka in Push to Deepen ... General US Pacific Air Forces Commander Visits Sri Lanka in Push to Deepen Defence Ties 22 Jun 2026 By Lankanewspapers.com Local Read in: English සිංහල 2 Comments A senior United States military official has arrived in Sri Lanka as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations, signalling a continued American interest in engaging with Colombo on security matters. High-Level Military Visit The Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces touched down in Sri Lanka, marking a significant moment in the defence relationship between Washington and Colombo. The visit underscores the strategic importance the United States places on its partnership with Sri Lanka within the broader Indo-Pacific region. Such high-ranking military visits are considered a key instrument in deepening people-to-people and institution-to-institution links between the armed forces of both countries, covering areas ranging from training and capacity building to broader regional security dialogue. Indo-Pacific Strategic Context Sri Lanka occupies a position of considerable strategic relevance in…

Millennium Challenge Corporation Official Visits Sri Lanka to Continue ... This press release was initially issued by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo . U.S. Department of State MCC COO Jonathan Nash and Chargé d'affaires ad interim Robert Hilton meet Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, September 20, 2018 – A delegation from the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), led by Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Nash, visited Sri Lanka this week to continue progress on the proposed MCC compact – a large-scale five-year grant program. MCC is developing the compact in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka to promote inclusive economic growth that will benefit Sri Lankans. During the visit, COO Nash met with senior government officials, including Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera, State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne, and Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam. The proposed MCC Sri Lanka Compact is in the final stage of development. The compact is expected to be negotiated with the Government of Sri Lanka in the coming weeks. MCC will fund the compact entirely through gran…

US Officials Arrive in Sri Lanka to Strengthen Indian Ocean Ties - The ... US Officials Arrive in Sri Lanka to Strengthen Indian Ocean Ties Defence Published By - Nirali Sethi June 22, 2026 Reading time - 2 min. Facebook X Copy URL WhatsApp Two high-ranking officials from the United States, including General Kevin Schneider, the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, have arrived in Sri Lanka for three-day visits aimed at enhancing defence, security, and economic relations. Both officials landed in Colombo on Sunday, June 21, according to information released by the US Embassy. This visit comes at a time when the United States is increasing its engagement with the strategically significant South Asian nation, which is positioned in the Indian Ocean. The US aims to strengthen its partnerships with Sri Lanka and other nations in the region as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S Paul Kapur, is also in Colombo, focusing on discussions related to regional issues and security cooperation during his stay. Both officials will meet with leading figures within the Sri Lankan government and defence sectors. Geopolitical Con…

Senior US Diplomat Paul Kapur Begins Colombo Visit to Bolster Strategic ... News Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp June 22, Colombo (LNW): A high-ranking United States diplomatic official has arrived in Sri Lanka for a series of discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation across trade, investment and regional security, signalling continued engagement between the two countries amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the Indian Ocean. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur, commenced a three-day visit to Colombo on Saturday, during which he is expected to hold meetings with senior government representatives, business leaders and members of the American corporate community operating in Sri Lanka. The visit is anticipated to focus on identifying new opportunities to expand economic collaboration, strengthen commercial links and encourage greater investment between the two nations. Discussions are also expected to cover regional security issues, maritime cooperation and broader strategic interests shared by Washington and Colombo. The US delegation is also expected to engage with representatives of American businesses to discuss the investment climate…

US Steps Up Engagement with Sri Lanka as Senior Officials Arrive for ... By The Pulseline News Desk The United States (US) has intensified its diplomatic and security engagement with Sri Lanka this week, as two senior American officials arrived in the country for separate high-level visits aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, defense, and regional security. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (21) for a three-day visit that will continue until Wednesday (24). His visit comes amid growing US interest in deepening partnerships across the Indian Ocean region, where Sri Lanka occupies a strategically important position along major global maritime routes. According to the US Embassy in Colombo, Assistant Secretary Kapur is scheduled to meet senior government leaders, private sector executives, and representatives of American companies operating in Sri Lanka. Discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral trade and investment opportunities, enhancing economic cooperation, and advancing shared regional priorities. The visit also reflects Washington’s broader effort…

2 Senior US Officials Visit Sri Lanka Amid Growing Focus On Indian ... ETV Bharat / international 2 Senior US Officials Visit Sri Lanka Amid Growing Focus On Indian Ocean Region US has been seeking to deepen defence, security and economic engagement with countries in region, including Sri Lanka, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy. Representational Image (ETV Bharat) By PTI Published : June 22, 2026 at 12:08 PM IST 2 Min Read Colombo: Two senior US officials, including Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, have arrived in Sri Lanka on separate visits focused on defence, security and economic cooperation amid Washington's growing engagement with the strategically located Indian Ocean nation, officials said on Monday. Schneider arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday for a three-day visit ending June 24, the US Embassy here said. Separately, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur also arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a three-day visit, it said. The high-profile visits assume significance in the backdrop of growing geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean region, where China has expanded its infrastructure investments and mar…