Kathmandu, April 20 (IANS) US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Paul Kapur, who arrived in Kathmandu on Monday, has begun meetings with Nepal’s political and business leaders. It is the first visit by a senior US official since a new government was formed in Nepal under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah on March 27, following the March 5 elections.On Monday, Kapur met Rabi Lamichhane, President of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), on the first day of his v…
Latest Paul Kapur News & Updates
Washington, Feb 28 (IANS) Indian diplomats and senior US leaders held a series of meetings this week across the United States, focusing on trade, energy, and strategic cooperation.In Bismarck, the Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta, met North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong and First Lady Kjersti Armstrong over an Indian meal.“Great to host Hon’ble Kelly Armstrong, Governor of North Dakota, along with the First Lady Kjersti Armstrong, over an Indian meal in Bismarck today!” In…
Washington, Feb 13 (IANS) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on Friday, congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader Tarique Rahman following their election victory, signaling Washington’s readiness to engage the new government in Dhaka. “Congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its leader, Tarique Rahman, as well as the people of Bangladesh,” Rubio said in a post on social media platform X.”The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected g…
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) The Trump Administration expressed optimism about Nepal’s upcoming election, as a senior official told lawmakers that the recent political upheaval there is part of a broader wave of democratic transitions across South Asia.During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur said Washington is prepared to work with Nepal’s next government following months…
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Lawmakers urged the State Department to back the repeal of the Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik amendment for Central Asian nations, arguing that the outdated provision hampers US investment and undercuts strategic competition with Russia and China. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia, Democratic Rep. Ami Bera pressed Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur to support legislative efforts to remove the trade restric…
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Lawmakers pressed the State Department to make the US ambassador to India available for congressional testimony, underscoring the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship and calling for greater oversight. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (Local time), Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur whether he would work with lawmakers to …
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Underscoring the strategic importance of the US naval support facility at Diego Garcia, lawmakers and a senior State Department official have said that safeguarding Indian Ocean sea lanes is central to countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia, Congressman Bill Huizenga said: “The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest maritime corridors on the earth, carrying the lifeblood of global commerce …
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) The United States has claimed India has been “reducing” its purchases of Russian oil and diversifying energy imports, as lawmakers pressed the State Department on enforcement challenges tied to Moscow’s war in Ukraine. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Republican Rep. Keith Self raised concerns that continued Russian oil sales were helping finance the war.“The sale of Russian oil continues to fund the Ukrain…
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) The United States has described Pakistan as “another important partner” in South Asia, outlining cooperation on critical minerals, trade and counterterrorism even as lawmakers highlighted regional tensions and the risks of instability. Testifying before a House subcommittee hearing on US policy in South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur said Washington is working with Islamabad to …
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) The United States expressed optimism ahead of Bangladesh’s elections, describing the vote as a new chapter in its engagement in South Asia, even as lawmakers debated how Washington should support democratic transitions in the region.Testifying before a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (Local time), Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur said the administration expects a smooth process.“We’re exc…