According to the U.S. State Department, U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor will visit Sri Lanka and the Maldives from March 19–24 for high-level meetings aimed at deepening cooperation across the Indian Ocean region.
In Sri Lanka, Gor is scheduled to meet senior officials to reaffirm the bilateral relationship and to advance cooperation on protecting critical sea lanes and securing ports. Discussions will also focus on strengthening trade and commercial ties, encouraging investment, and promoting a free, open, and prosperous Indo‑Pacific—reflecting Sri Lanka’s strategic maritime importance.
In the Maldives, Gor will hold talks with top government leaders as Washington marks 60 years of diplomatic relations with the island nation. Conversations are expected to emphasize security cooperation, support for critical infrastructure projects, and measures to foster economic growth.
The trip underscores the United States’ intent to bolster regional stability, uphold a rules‑based order in the Indo‑Pacific, and ensure the safety of vital shipping routes. Officials will explore collaboration on port development, maritime domain awareness, regional counterterrorism efforts, people‑to‑people ties, and opportunities to expand trade and investment.
The visit forms part of a broader U.S. strategy to deepen engagement across South and Central Asia and to support a stable, open, and prosperous Indo‑Pacific.
