S Paul Kapur, an Indian-American scholar and security expert, has been confirmed as the United States’ Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and American mother, Kapur will now serve as Washington’s point man for South Asia under President Donald Trump. He succeeds Donald Lu, who held the post during the previous Biden administration. Kapur is widely known for his critical analysis of Pakistan’s use of militants as a tool of state policy against India and its risky reliance on nuclear weapons as a strategic trump card.

The appointment comes at a time when US-Pakistan ties are strained, India-US relations are expanding, and China is increasing its influence across the Indo-Pacific. Kapur has long advocated for a stronger US-

See Full Page