He made these remarks addressing an audience at the Rice University in Houston, Texas on Jan19 on the Obama Administration's Priorities in South and Central Asia and its foreign policy.

While focusing more on Central Asia, Blake briefly discussed Nepal and Sri Lanka, both of which have ended long internal conflicts in the last few years and trying to secure peace now.

Describing Obama administration policy in the region, Blake said there are three primary objectives in the South and Central Asia region, namely to support international efforts in Afghanistan, build a strategic partnership with India and develop more durable and stable relations with the Central Asian countries.