NEW YORK: The US State diplomat in charge of political affairs is visiting India for consultations with the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi, the State Department said in a note.

During the visit, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland will lead the US team to the annual foreign office meetings, which will "cover the full range of bilateral, regional, and global problems," according to the State Department on Friday.

She will also meet with young tech executives, the report said. Her journey to India is part of a week-long trip around Asia that begins on Saturday and includes stops in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Qatar.

During her visit to Sri Lanka, which will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she will express Washington's "support for Sri Lanka's efforts to stabilise the economy, defend human rights, and promote reconciliation," according to the State Department.

In Nepal, Nuland will meet with the new government of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who took office last month, to discuss the broad agenda of the two nations' alliance.

Qatar represents US interests in Afghanistan because Washington does not recognise the Taliban regime. 
"Global concerns under the framework of the US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue, as well as that country's crucial support for the relocation of Afghans with ties to the US," she will discuss with Qatari leaders, according to the statement.

The foreign office discussions are held on a yearly basis to examine the two countries' complete range of collaboration under the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, including political, economic, commercial, regional, and international cooperation.

The last such consultation was in March last year.

Although the US and India have been growing closer, New Delhi's apparent neutrality in the Ukraine crisis, as well as its continuous purchase of Russian oil, remains a sticking issue, despite Washington's officials' glossing over it.

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