About the Author: Robert O. Blake serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.

Last week, I had the pleasure of interacting with over 800 enthusiastic and engaged young people as guest speaker for an educational series on South Asia in Delaware. Connecting with students and other young people is truly one of the best parts of my job, for it gives me the chance to encourage young people’s hope and optimism and their eagerness to make a difference in the world.

Sponsored by the Delaware-Delhi-Lahore Partnership for Peace, students from seven participating high schools in Wilmington gathered at Cab Calloway High School to learn more about India and Pakistan. Although not normally part of their required curriculum, these students were eager to hear about the evolving nature of India-Pakistan ties and the encouraging developments in relations between these neighbors. 

Our discussion focused on a key element in the India-Pakistan relationship:… more »

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake, Jr., responds to questions during a live Facebook chat at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on June 11, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]