President Donald Trump has named S. Paul Kapoor, an Indian-origin scholar known for his critical views on Pakistan, as the next Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.
Kapoor’s nomination was leaked to the media at a crucial moment, coinciding with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington.
In this context, Kapoor’s appointment marks a broader shift in Washington’s South Asia policy – a more skeptical stance towards Islamabad and a greater focus on New Delhi.
His nomination signals a potential hardening of US policy toward Pakistan, with less intervention in defense and economic affairs.
According to Michael Kugelman, an American scholar of South Asian affairs: “Like others already in the administration, Kapoor is a strong supporter of the US-India partnership and a vocal critic of Pakistan.”
A professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School and a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, Kapoor has long argued that Pakistan’s security policies rely on “Islamic militancy as a tool of statecraft.”
His book “Jihad as Grand Strategy” argues that while this approach once gave Islamabad strategic leverage, it has since backfired, weakening the Pakistani state, crippling its economy, and provoking a more aggressive Indian military posture.
His influence at the State Department could mean a tough stance on issues such as financial aid and diplomatic support for Kashmir. If his perspective shapes official U.S. policy, Islamabad could come under increased pressure to rethink its strategy — or face deeper diplomatic and economic isolation.
If confirmed by the Senate, Kapoor would replace Donald Lu, who is leaving the post after the change of administration. For now, Eric Meyer continues to serve as the senior official overseeing the region.
