U.S. President Donald Trump’s pick, Indian-origin academic S. Paul Kapur, has been confirmed by the US Senate as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.
Kapur will replace Donald Lu. Amid the government shutdown in the United States, Kapur’s nomination was confirmed on October 7 through a Senate vote.
Corroborating the same, the White House posted on X, “Paul Kapur of California has been confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs.” Kapur was nominated in February by the Trump administration.
Kapur will be responsible for overseeing US engagements with South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
Who is Paul Kapur?
Paul Kapur was born in India’s national capital. His father was Indian, while his mother was an American national. He completed his undergraduate studies at Amherst College and earned a PhD from the University of Chicago.
Kapur is an expert in nuclear strategy and security issues related to South Asian affairs. He has extensive experience in academia and is currently serving as a professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.
Kapur’s name was among 107 nominees that were confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The White House reposted the news on X.
The Senate also confirmed Sergio Gor as the next U.S. envoy to India. Gor is considered a close aide of President Donald Trump.
