Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur met with Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra in Washington, discussing shared priorities and strengthening U.S.-India relations.
WASHINGTON, DC – India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, recently hosted Paul Kapur, the newly appointed Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, at his residence in Washington.
On November 4, the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs shared a message on X, expressing gratitude for the meeting. “Thank you @AmbVMKwatra for graciously hosting me at India House last night. Appreciated the opportunity to discuss shared bilateral and regional priorities, including strengthening the U.S.-India relationship,” Kapur tweeted.
Kapur, an Indian American security expert, was sworn in as Assistant Secretary on October 22, marking a significant appointment within the Trump administration for the region. He is also a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution and a professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
His confirmation came after a Senate vote in early October, alongside the appointment of Sergio Gor as the new U.S. Ambassador to India. During his Senate confirmation hearing in June, Kapur reflected on his unique background, stating that his career had “come full circle.”
“I can’t avoid the feeling of having come full circle. I was born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother. Although I visited India often during my childhood, I grew up in the United States as a thoroughly American kid, never imagining that my career would someday return me to the place where I was born,” he shared.
In discussing U.S.-India relations, Kapur emphasized the multitude of common interests shared by the two nations. He noted the importance of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which he asserted should not be dominated by China. He also highlighted the need to expand bilateral trade and build a more symmetrical and profitable economic relationship.
Kapur pointed out the significance of facilitating technology sharing and innovation, as well as ensuring access to energy resources essential for both countries’ economic growth.
Regarding Pakistan, he mentioned his intent to “pursue security cooperation where beneficial to U.S. interests.”
The Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs plays a vital role in shaping U.S. policy concerning security, economic engagement, counterterrorism, and infrastructure development across the broader South and Central Asia region.
As the U.S. continues to navigate its foreign policy in South Asia, the discussions between Kapur and Kwatra signal a commitment to strengthening ties and addressing shared challenges.
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