Paul Kapur, US President Donald Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that he would prioritise security cooperation with Pakistan where it aligns with US interests.
He also expressed intent to explore opportunities for enhancing bilateral collaboration in trade and investment,
He previously served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff during Trump’s first term, where he played a role in shaping US strategy in South Asia.
Kapur, an academic of Indian origin, acknowledged the region’s volatility, referring to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan. He said the crisis was narrowly averted due to “intense engagement” by US Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“If confirmed, I will pursue security cooperation with Pakistan where it is in America’s interest,” says Paul Kapur who is set to become Trump’s top diplomat on South Asia pic.twitter.com/AWwJh9k8kh
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On Pakistan, he said that if confirmed, he would “pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to US interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment.”
He noted that “South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict with Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio intensely engaged on the issue.”
He added, “If confirmed, I will continue to promote long-standing US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism.”
These tensions between the two countires escalated after an attack in the Indian-Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, which killed 26 people.
India swiftly blamed Pakistan, but without presenting evidence. Islamabad denied the Indian claims and called for an independent probe. India the took hostile actions including the suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), halting trade, and closing border crossings, as it retaliated against the alleged attack.
In response, Pakistan undertook reciprocal measures, including halting trade and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. The situation quickly escalated as missile strikes and air raids rocked both nations, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Following a military standoff, the US announced a ceasefire on May 10. President Trump later wrote on Truth Social: “I will work with you, both to see if, after a ‘thousand years,’ a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.”
READ MORE: Pakistan and India agree to immediate ceasefire
Despite his commitment to regional balance, Kapur’s prior scholarship has drawn criticism in Pakistan. His book Dangerous Deterrent and academic work, including India and Pakistan’s Unstable Peace, have been viewed as reflective of a bias, with repeated suggestions that Pakistan instigates instability in the region.
Kapur pledged to focus on practical diplomacy. “If confirmed, I’ll support efforts to bring home detained Americans in Afghanistan and work to prevent the country from becoming a terrorism launchpad again,” he said.
The Senate is expected to vote on Kapur’s nomination later this month.
READ: ‘Indian aggression carries consequences’
Paul Kapur is set to take over as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, a role previously held by Donald Lu. Lu had earlier come under scrutiny following allegations by former Pakistani prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Khan accused Lu of being involved in a “foreign conspiracy” that, he claimed, led to his removal from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022.
In an interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, Khan alleged that Lu used threatening language during an official meeting with Pakistan’s ambassador. “On March 7… US undersecretary of state responsible for South Asia tells our ambassador in an official meeting [with] note takers on both sides that unless you get rid of your prime minister Pakistan will suffer consequences,” Khan said.
He added that Lu should be sacked for “bad manners and sheer arrogance.”
