WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed political scientist S. Paul Kapur as the next Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. Kapur will oversee U.S. diplomacy across a critical region that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, and five Central Asian republics.
Kapur, an Indian American scholar, steps into his role at a time of shifting power dynamics in South Asia and Central Asia. The region is increasingly influenced by China and Russia, making U.S. engagement more strategic than ever. As head of the bureau, Kapur will guide U.S. policy on regional security, economic development, and international cooperation.
At 56, Kapur is widely recognized for his research on nuclear deterrence, South Asian security, and great-power competition. Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, he grew up in the United States. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago.
Before joining the State Department, Kapur taught at Stanford University, Claremont McKenna College, and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. At the Naval Postgraduate School, he leads U.S.–India strategic dialogues for the Department of Defense. His academic work has long explored the balance of power between India and Pakistan and how India manages relationships with global powers such as the U.S. and China.
Kapur has emerged as a vocal supporter of strengthening the U.S.-India partnership. He believes a closer alliance is crucial for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. He has written extensively on the strategic benefits of collaboration in trade, security, and regional stability.
“The United States–India strategic partnership has a natural, seemingly inevitable quality,” Kapur noted in a report for the Hoover Institution. “The need to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, balance rising Chinese power, and enhance prosperity through trade creates strong incentives for cooperation.”
While Kapur supports a closer U.S.-India relationship, he has expressed skepticism about deepening ties with Pakistan. He has cited Pakistan’s support for terrorist groups in India and Afghanistan as a major challenge to regional stability. In his book Jihad as Grand Strategy, Kapur argues that militant forces have been Pakistan’s primary offensive tool against India.
He has also questioned U.S. defense policies toward Pakistan. In 2022, he criticized Washington’s $450 million sustainment package for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets, arguing that closer security relations with Islamabad could harm U.S.-India ties. Kapur advocates a policy of limited engagement with Pakistan, emphasizing that efforts to achieve strategic convergence with Islamabad may undermine U.S. interests in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Kapur’s scholarship extends beyond regional politics. He is a leading voice on nuclear deterrence and South Asian security dynamics. His research examines how India and Pakistan manage their military capabilities and the implications for U.S. foreign policy. This expertise positions him to provide Washington with informed guidance on complex security challenges in South and Central Asia.
Kapur’s confirmation signals a strategic focus on India and a careful approach to Pakistan. Analysts expect him to strengthen U.S.-India ties while promoting stability across South and Central Asia. With a background that bridges academia and policy, Kapur is well-prepared to navigate the challenges of his new role.
