WASHINGTON, March 5: United States Secretary of State Colin Powell will visit Pakistan, India and Afghanistan begining from March 15-16, State Department announced on Friday.

"In Pakistan, he will cover a wide range of issues with our ally and partner in the global war on terror," Adam Ereli, deputy spokesman for the State Department, said in a statement.

Mr Powell, he said "will be meeting senior officials and political leaders in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan to discuss a range of bilateral and security matters, including regional issues."

While in India, Mr Powell "will discuss next steps and beyond, in our strategic relationship." "In Afghanistan, he will focus on the consolidation of economic and political reconstruction and look ahead to the International Conference on Afghanistan in Berlin."

"This visit is the latest in a series of consultations between South Asian leaders and the United States. The South Asian region is vital to American interests," Mr Ereli added. -APP