U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio played a critical role in urging restraint during the recent India-Pakistan crisis, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Paul Kapur, told lawmakers during his Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday.
“As somebody from the outside looking in, it appeared to me that the Secretary [of State] and the Vice President were actively engaged in using their good offices to encourage de-escalation,” Mr. Kapur told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I think that probably had a salutary effect. Ultimately, India and Pakistan made their own decisions to step back.”
Mr. Kapur, currently a professor at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, was responding to questions about rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which India has attributed to Pakistan-based groups.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen said he had good discussions with the Indian and Pakistani parliamentary delegations that were in Washington last week in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan crisis.
‘Fragile ceasefire’
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio have taken credit for bringing about the ceasefire. As you probably already know, the Indian government has denied that the ceasefire resulted from American mediation. But regardless, there’s a fragile ceasefire in place. Secretary Rubio said this on May 10: ‘I am pleased to announce the governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate cease-fire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site,’ unquote. So, Dr. Kapur, if you are confirmed, what broad set of issues will you push India and Pakistan to discuss?” the Senator asked.
Mr. Kapur said the U.S. and India share a host of common interests, ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which is not dominated by China, expanding bilateral trade, and building economic relationships so that it is more symmetrical and more profitable.
“Facilitating technology sharing and innovation, and ensuring access to the energy necessary to fuel our economies. If confirmed, I’ll work to further advance U.S.-India relations and put our partnership on course to realise its tremendous promise. On Pakistan, if confirmed, I will pursue security cooperation where it is beneficial to U.S. interests while seeking opportunities for bilateral collaboration in trade and investment,” Mr. Kapur said.
“South Asia recently avoided a costly conflict, with Vice-President Vance and Secretary Rubio intensely engaged on the issue. If confirmed, I will continue to promote long-standing U.S. security interests with India and Pakistan through the pursuit of peace and stability and the fight against terrorism,” he added.
Expanding ties
“Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives and Bhutan are important for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Sri Lanka and the Maldives are located along major oceanic trade routes, while Bangladesh boasts the largest economy in the region after India. If confirmed, I will advocate for enhanced U.S. cooperation with these countries to bolster our security, counterbalance China’s influence and expand trade. In Afghanistan, if confirmed, I’ll support President Trump and Secretary Rubio in bringing home wrongly detained Americans,” he said.
Sen. James E Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the recent conflict between India and Pakistan is deeply concerning and has shown that the U.S. must continue its counterterrorism cooperation across the region. “The U.S. shares national security interests with both countries and we need a peace between them,” he said.
(5Wh.com)
Published – June 12, 2025 05:30 am IST
