Pakistan, a key US partner in the region, according to an official statement, is a crucial ally for the United States in South and Central Asia. The Trump administration's representative for the region, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur, emphasized the importance of expanding trade, economic cooperation, and security ties with Pakistan. Kapur highlighted Pakistan's role in regional affairs and the growing bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
During a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Sub-committee on South and Central Asia, Kapur discussed the potential of Pakistan's mineral resources and the benefits of combining US government seed financing with private sector expertise. He also mentioned the expansion of trade in energy and agriculture, as well as the ongoing security and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries.
Lawmakers raised concerns about militancy, Pakistan's security strategy, and regional dynamics. A congressman questioned whether militant groups based in South and Central Asia were operating in the United States, to which Kapur clarified that these groups are not known to be operating as coherent or organized entities within the US, but individual members could be present anywhere. Kapur also addressed the challenge of terrorism, noting that small groups can blend into the general population, making their detection difficult.
The hearing also touched on India's role in the US strategy toward China. Kapur explained that an independent and self-reliant India serves US strategic interests by preventing China from dominating the region. He further explained that India's economic development, infrastructure growth, and independent military development limit China's ability to expand its influence. The stakes of US engagement in South Asia were underscored by lawmakers, with a focus on a broad-based and values-driven approach.
Democratic concerns were raised about regional crises and the direction of US diplomacy. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove expressed alarm over Afghanistan, fearing that the administration might recognize the Taliban without securing improvements in the rights of Afghan women and girls. Kapur testified that the US has begun offering financial assistance to Afghans to return home, as it works to close a camp in Qatar, with over 1,100 people held since 2025. He emphasized that the US is not forcibly repatriating Afghans and that the decision is voluntary.
