Paul Kapur: Trump's Nominee Aims to Deepen US-India Ties
Indian-American Paul Kapur, nominated by former President Donald Trump for a pivotal role in South Asia affairs, has outlined a clear vision to reinforce the strategic and security partnership between the United States and India. With an emphasis on sustaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, Kapur highlighted mutual interests that include countering China’s influence, expanding trade, and boosting technological collaboration.
Commitment to Security and Economic Cooperation
During his Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on June 10, 2025, Kapur emphasized his intention to pursue a strong security and strategic partnership with India, alongside promoting peace and stability in neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. He stated, “If confirmed, I will work to further advance US-India relations and put our partnership on course to realize its tremendous promise.”
Kapur also pledged to seek out bilateral opportunities in trade, investment, and energy cooperation, all aimed at reinforcing the alliance's depth and resilience. He underlined the importance of fighting terrorism and fostering peace as mutual priorities in the region.
Profile: An Expert on South Asia's Security Landscape
Nominated in February 2025 as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Kapur would succeed Donald Lu in this senior diplomatic position. Kapur is widely recognized for his expertise on South Asia’s security dynamics and U.S. foreign policy. He serves as a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and holds a PhD from the University of Chicago.
His scholarship includes several influential books addressing nuclear policy, terrorism, and strategic stability in South Asia, such as:
- Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State (2016)
- Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia (2007)
- India, Pakistan, and the Bomb: Debating Nuclear Stability in South Asia (2010)
- The Challenges of Nuclear Security: US and Indian Perspectives (2024)
His academic and policy contributions have notably shaped U.S. approaches to the complex geopolitical challenges of the South and Central Asian regions.
Looking Ahead: A Strategic US-India Partnership
Kapur's nomination is seen as a strong signal of continued U.S. commitment to a robust partnership with India, especially considering the evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. By fostering enhanced cooperation in defense, trade, and technology, he aims to build a durable framework that supports regional stability while advancing American interests.
Should his confirmation proceed smoothly, Kapur’s tenure is expected to intensify collaboration on counterterrorism, energy security, and diplomatic engagement, thereby charting a proactive course for the U.S.-India relationship in the years to come.
