WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Paul Kapur, has pledged to cooperate with Pakistan in the areas of security, bilateral trade, and investment.
Speaking during his confirmation hearing before the US Senate, Kapur stated that he would prioritise strengthening security cooperation with Pakistan, while also seeking opportunities to enhance bilateral trade and investment ties.
“If confirmed, I will continue to promote longstanding US security interests with Pakistan and India through the pursuit of peace and stability, and the fight against terrorism,” said Trump’s nominee.
His remarks come in the context of his strong advocacy for deepening strategic relations between India and the United States, as well as his commitment to ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a launchpad for terrorism.
“If confirmed, I’ll support efforts to bring home detained Americans in Afghanistan and work to prevent the country from becoming a terrorism launchpad again,” he once remarked.
Reflecting on the recent armed conflict between Pakistan and India, he has opined that South Asia narrowly escaped a serious conflict, where US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ‘intensely engaged’ on the issue.
Following the US-brokered ceasefire, in which President Trump played a pivotal role, both Islamabad and New Delhi have launched global diplomatic outreach campaigns to present their respective positions on the recent clashes between the two long-standing rivals.
On Pakistan’s side, former Foreign Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is leading a nine-member high-level parliamentary delegation on an international tour.
The mission aims to communicate Pakistan’s perspective on the recent military confrontation with India and to counter New Delhi’s narrative on the global stage.
Meanwhile, posting on his Truth Social platform, President Trump also wrote about his willingness to work with the two countries if a solution can be arrived at concerning Kashmir.
Pakistan has welcomed this gesture. However, India has firmly rejected the mediation offer, reaffirming its longstanding position that Kashmir is a bilateral issue and is to be resolved exclusively between the two nations.
Kapur’s remarks on cooperation with Pakistan are significant, as he is slated to succeed Donald Lu as the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, pending Senate confirmation.
