Top U.S. South Asia Diplomat Begins India Visit, Set for Talks on Security and Indo-Pacific Cooperation
NEW DELHI — The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, S. Paul Kapur, began an official visit to India this week, with meetings scheduled with senior Indian officials to discuss regional security and shared priorities in the Indo-Pacific.
“Welcome to India, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S Paul Kapur! Looking forward to productive meetings with Indian partners this week as we continue advancing US-India partnership,” the U.S. Embassy in India said in a post on X.
The embassy said Kapur’s March 1–3 visit builds on recent momentum aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s vision of a robust and mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and India.
Kapur was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in October. He is currently on leave from the United States Naval Postgraduate School, where he serves as a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs. He has also been a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff and taught at Claremont McKenna College.
His visit comes amid deepening economic engagement between the two countries. Last month, Washington and New Delhi announced a framework for an interim agreement on reciprocal, mutually beneficial trade, designed to advance negotiations toward a broader U.S.-India bilateral trade pact.
The White House also formally announced plans to reduce tariffs on certain Indian imports as part of the process.
According to a joint statement, the framework reaffirms both sides’ commitment to negotiations on a U.S.-India Bilateral Trade Agreement. Those talks were launched by President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 13, 2025. Officials said the interim agreement is intended to deliver early gains and strengthen supply chain resilience.
“The Interim Agreement between the United States and India will represent a historic milestone in our countries’ partnership, demonstrating a common commitment to reciprocal and balanced trade based on mutual interests and concrete outcomes,” the announcement said.
Last month, Prime Minister Modi also held a phone conversation with President Trump.
“President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace. I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights,” Modi said following the call. (Source: IANS)
