The fear of a coronavirus outbreak has forced US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper to postpone a key visit to Pakistan, India and other countries in the region, the Pentagon announced.

Secretary Esper planned to visit the region from March 16 to 20 for talks aimed at promoting the Afghan peace process. He was expected in Islamabad on March 19 for an overnight stay.

Other destinations on his trip included Uzbekis­tan and possibly Kabul, altho­ugh visits to the Afghan capital are not announced due to security reasons.

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