Washington: Paul Kapur, a South Asian security expert, has been nominated by former US President Donald Trump to serve as the Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs. If confirmed, he will replace Donald Lu, whose term ended on January 17, 2025. His appointment signals a strategic shift in US policy, particularly towards India and Pakistan.
Kapur, an Indian-origin scholar, is a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the US Naval Postgraduate School. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and a BA from Amherst College. Earlier, he taught at Claremont McKenna College and was a visiting professor at Stanford University.
US foreign policy expert
He has been actively involved in US foreign policy, serving on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff from 2020 to 2021, where he contributed to discussions on South Asia, Indo-Pacific security and US-India relations. He also directs a US-India Track 1.5 strategic dialogue and other defence-related engagements.
The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs oversees diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Kapur’s expertise in nuclear security and Indo-Pacific strategy will be crucial in navigating regional challenges. His research on Indo-Pakistani relations and South Asian security has appeared in journals like International Security and Security Studies, as well as outlets like The Wall Street Journal.
Strong advocate of deeper India-US ties
Kapur is a strong advocate of deeper US-India strategic ties. Christopher Clary, an associate professor at the University at Albany, noted that Kapur sees India as a top-tier partner and believes human rights concerns should not overshadow strategic interests. He has been critical of Pakistan, viewing its strategic choices as dangerous, suggesting a potential shift in US policy towards Islamabad.
In a 2021 article, Kapur criticised Biden’s India policy, citing three shortcomings: underestimating India’s strategic importance, emphasising human rights at the cost of defence ties and failing to build on Trump’s policies. If confirmed, his appointment could lead to stronger US-India relations and a tougher stance on Pakistan, shaping Washington’s approach amid China’s growing influence.
