Washington has positioned India as a cornerstone of stability in South Asia and the western Indo-Pacific, underscoring its pivotal role amid rising regional tensions. In a detailed statement to the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s South and Central Asia Subcommittee, Assistant Secretary Paul Kapoor emphasized the Trump administration’s commitment to deepening ties with New Delhi under its ‘America First’ doctrine.
Kapoor highlighted President Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy, which prioritizes active engagement with vital global partners to safeguard U.S. interests. ‘Under the President’s leadership, we’ve seen economic and security gains for America and our partners alike,’ he noted, just a day before his formal testimony.
India’s massive population—over a billion people—and its sprawling influence across the subcontinent make South Asia indispensable, Kapoor argued. He warned that any hostile power dominating the region could wreak havoc on the global economy. The U.S. must counter this threat by ensuring the area remains free and open.
‘India, by virtue of its size, location, and commitment to a free and open region, serves as the anchor for South Asia and the broader western Indo-Pacific,’ Kapoor declared. This foundation is bolstered by expanding bilateral cooperation, including high-level diplomacy, defense partnerships, technology transfers, and energy deals.
Recent milestones include a new 10-year U.S.-India Defense Framework Agreement, the TRUST Initiative, and major purchases of American drones and liquefied natural gas by India. On the trade front, President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi sealed a landmark deal last week, following a similar agreement with Bangladesh that opens new export markets.
Beyond India, Kapoor outlined three pillars of ‘strategic capacity-building’: defense collaboration, targeted investments, and robust diplomacy. Pakistan remains a key partner, with Washington working alongside Islamabad to harness seed financing from U.S. agencies paired with private sector expertise in critical resources.
Smaller nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan hold strategic value due to their locations but face risks of coercion. Kapoor cautioned against ‘debt-trap diplomacy,’ urging collective efforts to build partner capabilities, empower self-reliance, and strengthen America’s security and prosperity.
South Asia lies at the heart of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, particularly as the U.S. confronts China’s expanding economic and military footprint. India emerges as an indispensable ally through enhanced defense ties, multilateral forums, and booming trade relations, signaling a new era of strategic alignment.