Paul Kapur, an accomplished Indian-American author and security expert, has officially been sworn in as the new Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the US Department of State. This significant appointment was announced by the Bureau via a social media post, marking a new chapter in US diplomatic relations with the region.
In his new capacity, Kapur will be responsible for guiding America’s diplomatic efforts and strengthening strategic partnerships across numerous countries, including India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. He steps into this role, succeeding Donald Lu, who had held the position since 2021.
Kapur’s background is deeply rooted in national security and international affairs. Born in New Delhi to an Indian father and an American mother, he brings a unique bicultural perspective to his role. Previously, he served as a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the US Naval Postgraduate School and is currently a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
His experience at the State Department includes a significant tenure on the Policy Planning Staff from 2020-2021. During this period, he focused on critical issues concerning South and Central Asia, the Indo-Pacific strategy, and the intricacies of US-India relations.
Kapur is also a prolific author, having penned several books that delve into the complex security landscape of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. His works explore topics such as nuclear weapons proliferation, deterrence strategies, and the dynamics of Islamist militancy. Notably, in his book ‘Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State,’ Kapur presented a compelling argument that Pakistan’s use of jihad was a deliberate governmental strategy, rather than a consequence of instability.
Academically, Kapur holds a Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a PhD from the University of Chicago, underscoring his strong foundation in scholarship and research.