SAC presents: Assistant Secretary Robert Blake

The India Model: The Beneficial Rise of an Economic Power The market dynamics and thriving democratic institutions in India have generated an economic model of a global power that other developing countries, such as Bangladesh and Pakistan, can emulate. While the South and Central Asia region lacks integration, the large markets and complementary resources have the potential to grow rapidly. Mr. Blake was appointed Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs in May 2009. As Assistant Secretary, he oversees U.S. foreign policy with India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. He previously served as Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives from 2006 to mid-2009 and Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission in New Delhi, India from 2003 – 2006. Since entering the Foreign Service in 1985, he has served at American Embassies in Africa as well as in a number of positions at the Department of State in Washington D.C. Mr. Blake earned a B.A. from Harvard in 1980 and an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 1984.