WASHINGTON D.C.:
Paul Kapur, nominated by former US President Donald Trump for the role of Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, has pledged to prioritise security cooperation with Pakistan — but only where it aligns with American interests. Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Kapur said he would also explore ways to deepen bilateral trade and investment ties.
Kapur, an Indian-origin academic and former member of the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff during Trump’s first term, acknowledged the volatility of the South Asian region. He credited recent de-escalation efforts between India and Pakistan to “intense engagement” by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He noted the region “narrowly avoided a costly conflict,” referencing the April 22 attack in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack without providing evidence. Pakistan denied the allegations and demanded an independent investigation. Tensions escalated rapidly as both nations took retaliatory measures — suspending trade, airspace access, and even the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty. Airstrikes and missile attacks followed, resulting in significant casualties.
A US-brokered ceasefire on May 10 brought the standoff to a halt. President Trump later posted on Truth Social: “I will work with you, both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.”
Kapur stated, “If confirmed, I will continue to promote America’s long-standing security interests with both India and Pakistan, focusing on regional peace, stability, and counterterrorism.”
However, Kapur’s past academic work has drawn skepticism in Pakistan. His book Dangerous Deterrent and other writings have often suggested that Pakistan plays a destabilising role in the region — a stance that has prompted criticism of potential bias.
Despite this, Kapur emphasized a commitment to pragmatic diplomacy. He expressed support for efforts to repatriate detained Americans in Afghanistan and to ensure the country does not once again become a launchpad for terrorism.
Kapur is expected to succeed Donald Lu as the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia. Lu, who previously held the role, was embroiled in controversy in Pakistan after former Prime Minister Imran Khan accused him of orchestrating a “foreign conspiracy” to oust him from power in 2022.
The Senate is expected to vote on Kapur’s confirmation later this month.
