Washington: US President Donald Trump has chosen S. Paul Kapur, an expert on South Asian affairs known for his critical stance on Pakistan, as the next Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.
The news of Kapur’s nomination emerged just as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Washington, highlighting a potential recalibration of US policy in the region. Kapur’s appointment is widely seen as a move to bolster ties with New Delhi while adopting a more cautious and critical approach toward Islamabad.
Michael Kugelman, a noted analyst on South Asian issues, remarked, “Kapur, like several members of the current administration, is a strong proponent of closer US-India relations and a vocal critic of Pakistan.”
Kapur, who teaches at the US Naval Postgraduate School and is affiliated with Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, has extensively analyzed Pakistan’s security policies. In his book, Jihad as Grand Strategy, he argues that Islamabad’s use of militant groups as instruments of state policy has backfired, damaging its economy and provoking a more assertive stance from India.
Should his views shape US policy, Pakistan could face tougher scrutiny on matters such as financial aid and its approach to Kashmir, with increased diplomatic and economic pressure from Washington.
If confirmed by the Senate, Kapur will succeed Donald Lu, who is stepping down following the change in administration. Until then, Eric Meyer will continue as the acting senior official overseeing South and Central Asia.
