S. Paul Kapur, an Indian-origin security expert, was sworn in as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on Thursday, marking a significant moment in his career and for South Asian Americans. The Department of State officially welcomed Kapur to his new role via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, Kapur's connection to the region is both personal and professional. He often visited India during his childhood and developed an interest in studying the region in graduate school. Kapur holds a BA from Amherst College and a PhD from the University of Chicago.
Kapur's confirmation was secured by the U.S. Senate on October 7, even amidst an ongoing government shutdown, demonstrating bipartisan support for his expertise. He was initially nominated for the position in February. As Assistant Secretary of State, Kapur will be America's principal diplomatic official handling relations with India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other countries in the region. This includes guiding U.S. diplomacy, coordinating security and development strategies, and advising on policy toward regional powers such as China and Russia.
Prior to his appointment, Kapur was a Professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He also served on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff from 2020 to 2021, focusing on issues related to South and Central Asia, Indo-Pacific strategy, and U.S.-India relations. Kapur's areas of expertise include South Asian security, nuclear policy, and the foreign policies of India and Pakistan.
Kapur is the author of "Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State" and "Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia". He is also the co-author of "India, Pakistan, and the Bomb: Debating Nuclear Stability in South Asia". His work has appeared in leading academic journals, including International Security, Security Studies, and Asian Survey.
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kapur emphasized the common interests shared by the United States and India, including maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, boosting trade and economic ties, advancing collaboration in technology and innovation, and ensuring dependable energy access to support economic development. He also stated that he would pursue security cooperation where it benefits U.S. interests and seek opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment.
Kapur has been described as a votary of the U.S.-India relationship and a skeptic of Pakistan, particularly regarding its support for terrorist groups in India and Afghanistan. He has publicly questioned the Biden Administration's decision to grant a sustainment package for Pakistan's F-16 fighter jets. Kapur has argued that closer defense relations with Pakistan could harm U.S. ties with India.
Analysts expect Kapur to focus on institutionalizing high-level strategic dialogues, advancing U.S.-India defense and technology cooperation, and promoting regional economic integration. His appointment is viewed as another milestone in the growing representation of South Asian Americans across federal agencies and other institutions.
