Indian-American scholar and strategic affairs expert Dr. Paul Kapur has been officially sworn in as the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, marking a significant moment in the growing prominence of Indian-origin professionals in U.S. foreign policy.
The U.S. State Department announced Kapur’s appointment on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, welcoming him to the bureau with the words:
“Welcome to @State_SCA, Assistant Secretary Paul Kapur! This morning Dr. Kapur was officially sworn in as the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.”
A Scholar-Turned-Strategist
Dr. Kapur, who succeeds Donald Lu, brings with him a blend of academic depth and policy experience. Before this appointment, he served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff between 2020 and 2021, where he focused on U.S. strategy in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly ties with India and Central Asia.
Beyond Washington, Kapur is widely known for his research on nuclear deterrence and South Asian security dynamics. A professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, Kapur has advised successive U.S. administrations on India-Pakistan relations and regional stability.
He has also played a leading role in Track 1.5 dialogues between New Delhi and Washington, helping shape the conversation on defence cooperation, maritime security, and technology partnerships.
Deep Roots and a Personal Connection
Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, Kapur’s life has come “full circle.” During his Senate confirmation hearing earlier this year, he reflected on his journey:
“I grew up as a thoroughly American kid, never imagining that my career would someday return me to the place where I was born.”
Policy Priorities Ahead
As Assistant Secretary, Kapur will oversee U.S. policy across South and Central Asia, a region that has become a focal point for Washington’s strategic recalibration. His early statements suggest a clear alignment with the Biden administration’s broader Indo-Pacific vision.
Kapur has identified several key priorities, strengthening U.S.–India relations, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific, advancing energy and technology partnerships, and fostering economic resilience in the region. He also struck a pragmatic tone on U.S.–Pakistan ties, stating that Washington would pursue security cooperation “when it aligns with American interests.”
A Strategic Appointment
Kapur’s appointment comes at a time of shifting geopolitical realities, with India’s rising global stature, China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, and Afghanistan’s continued instability redefining U.S. engagement in the region. His academic background and deep familiarity with India’s security calculus position him as a key voice in shaping Washington’s approach to Asia.
Observers see his elevation as a sign of continuity in U.S. policy, combining strategic caution with renewed diplomatic outreach. With his dual cultural roots and long-standing focus on South Asian security, Paul Kapur represents both the intellectual and human bridge that the U.S. hopes will strengthen its ties across one of the world’s most dynamic regions.
