Paul Kapur, US President Donald Trump’s nominees to Assistant State Secretary of South and Central Asia, told the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that he would prioritize security cooperation with Pakistan, where it adapts to US interests.
He also expressed intention to explore the possibilities of improving bilateral cooperation in trade and investment,
He earlier earned the state department’s political planning staff during Trump’s first period, playing a role in shaping the American strategy in South Asia.
Cape, an academic of Indian origin, recognized the region’s volatility, and referred to the recent escalation between India and Pakistan. He said the crisis was narrowly averted due to “intense commitment” by US vice president JD 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 ready to become Trump’s top diplomat in South Asia pic.twitter.com/awwjh9k8kh
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At Pakistan, he said if he was confirmed, he would “pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to American interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral cooperation in trade and investment.”
He noted that “South Asia recently avoided an expensive conflict with Vice President Vancce and Secretary Rubio, who were intensely engaged in the question.”
He added, “If confirmed, I will continue to promote long -time US security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism.”
These tensions between the two counts escalated after an attack in the Indian that is occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on April 22, killing 26 people.
India quickly accused Pakistan, but without providing evidence. Islamabad denied the Indian claims and called for an independent probe. India took hostile actions, including suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Water’s Treaty (IWT), stopped trade and closure of border crossings as it reciprocated against the alleged attack.
In response, Pakistan took mutual measures, including stopping trade and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. The situation escalated rapidly as missile attacks and air strikes shook both nations, resulting in dozens of losses.
After a military standoff, the United States announced a ceasefire on May 10th. President Trump later wrote about truth social: “I will work with you, both to see if, after a ‘thousand years’, a solution can be reached to Kashmir.”
Read more: Pakistan and India agree on 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 peacehas been considered reflective of a bias, with repeated suggestions that Pakistan is entrusting instability in the region.
Kapur promised to focus on practical diplomacy. “If confirmed, I support the efforts to bring withheld Americans into Afghanistan and work to prevent the country from becoming a terrorism launch plate again,” he said.
The Senate is expected to vote on Kapur’s nomination later this month.
READ: ‘Indian aggression bears consequences’
Paul Kapur is ready to take over as Assistant State Secretary of South and Central Asian Affairs, a role previously contained by Donald Lu. LU had previously been investigated following accusations of former Pakistani Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan.
Khan accused Lu of being involved in a “foreign conspiracy” which he claimed led to his removal from office through a vote without confidence in April 2022.
In an interview with CNNs Becky Anderson, Khan claimed that Lu was using threatening language during an official meeting with Pakistan’s ambassador. “On March 7 … The US Secretary of the State, who is responsible for South Asia, says our ambassador at an official meeting [with] Note on both sides that unless you get rid of your Prime Minister Pakistan will suffer consequences, ”Khan said.
He added that Lu should be fired for “bad manners and pure arrogance.”
