MR Pompeo to visit Sri Lanka and Maldives after Talks with India
Michael R Pompeo will be visiting two oceanic neighbors of India. Mike Pompeo will be visiting Sri Lanka and the Maldives this month. Officials of both Indian Ocean nations reported on Tuesday. This comes as the US seeks to counter the fast-growing Chinese influence in the region.
Pompeo will be holding two-way talks. They will be held in Colombo on 28th of October. A spokesman for Sri Lankan foreign ministry suggested however he gave no details. Two people who are familiar with arrangements for the trip. Were quoted saying Pompeo was likely to stop in Male for several hours. This will be on the same day.
Chinese diplomat, Yang Jiechi, visited Colombo earlier this month. In recent years,China has increasingly provided financing and construction. These funds have been for critical infrastructure in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. This has led to an alarming traditional regional power in India.
The previous week, an Indian government source said Pompeo was also set to visit New Delhi this month. This would be along with Defense Secretary Mark Esper. The visit would be for talks with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
