U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit Asia in April and May in an attempt to affirm defense relationship with its allies, the Department of Defense announced Friday.
A statement issued by the DOD said Carter will visit Japan on April 8-9. During his stay in Japan, Carter will meet with senior Japanese officials to discuss the defense strategic guidelines review ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington at the end of April.
On conclusion of his visit to Japan, Carter will then travel to Seoul, the ROK capital, on April 9-10, during which Carter will reiterate the U.S. commitment to South Korea's security and discuss regional issues with South Korean officials.
In May, Carter will also travel to Singapore and India, with a focus on building and strengthening growing partnerships in Southeast Asia and South Asia. While in Singapore, Carter is expected to deliver a speech at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security conference held in Singapore.
During his visit to India, Carter will seek to strengthen U.S.- India defense cooperation, including the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative that Carter started when he served as deputy defense secretary, said the statement, adding that Carter also will engage India further on other Asia-Pacific issues.