Chairman Yoho on the hearing: “Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka collectively are skyrocketing in importance, and U.S. interests in the Indian Ocean region are growing in kind. The region stands to become a major driver of global economic growth, and sits astride a strategic crossroads which is more and more critical to global commerce and security.  However, these countries also face major, persistent development challenges. In this hearing, the Subcommittee will discuss the Administration’s efforts to advance U.S. interests in South Asia, in the context of the FY2019 State Department and USAID budget requests for these countries.”

Opening Statements

Witnesses

The Honorable Alice G. Wells
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary
Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs
U.S. Department of State
[full text of statement]

Ms. Gloria Steele
Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator
Bureau for Asia
U.S. Agency for International Development
[full text of statement]

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Hearing transcript (PDF)