US President Donald Trump has nominated Paul Kapur, an expert in South Asian security and nuclear issues as Assistant State Secretary of South and Central Asia. Paul Kapur will follow Donald Lu, who monitored the region’s diplomatic affairs under the Joe Biden administration.
Paul Kapur, a professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School, is widely known for his work with Indo-Pacific Security and the US-India connections. 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.
The appointment signalizes a potential shift in Washington’s approach to the region, especially in its policies for India and Pakistan. Paul Kapur has long gone for stronger strategic ties in the US India and has been critical of Pakistan’s security policy.
His views suggest a harsher attitude towards Islamabad that contrasts with previous efforts to maintain a balance between the two South Asian neighbors.
As an academic, Paul Kapur has written several books and research articles on South Asian security, including jihad as a magnificent strategy: Islamist militant conditions, national security and the Pakistani state and dangerous deterrence: nuclear weapons proliferation and conflict in South Asia. His work is investigating nuclear security, militant and regional conflicts, and he has contributed to political discussions through the US-India track 1.5 dialogue on defense cooperation.
Paul Kapur’s nomination follows a series of appointments of Indian original officials in the Trump administration. Other recent appointed include Kash Patel as FBI director and Sriram Krishnan as the White House political adviser to artificial intelligence.
The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, which Paul Kapur would oversee, is responsible for shaping American politics towards the most important regional nations, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. His confirmation could strengthen India’s status as a top strategic partner for Washington while signaling a more cautious approach to Pakistan.
Paul Kapur’s confirmation hearing for the Senate is expected in the coming weeks.
