Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) The United States expects India to follow through on tariff reduction commitments under President Donald Trump’s trade agreement, the White House said, calling the pact an “objective win” for American farmers, workers, and industries.“President Trump’s historic trade agreement with India is an objective win for American farmers, workers, and industries,” a White House official told IANS on Wednesday (local time).The official said the administration views the…
Latest South Asia News & Updates
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 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) 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…
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Calling South Asia “vitally important,” US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia S. Paul Kapur told lawmakers that India’s size and location make it the region’s anchor, arguing that a strong, independent New Delhi helps prevent any “single hegemon” from imposing “coercive leverage” over the Indo-Pacific. Testifying before a House subcommittee hearing on US foreign policy in South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Kapur said, …
Washington, Feb 12 (IANS) Lawmakers questioned whether the Quad is being given sufficient prominence in the US’ Indo-Pacific strategy, even as the State Department defended the grouping as a “very important platform” central to balancing China’s influence. During a House subcommittee hearing on South and Central Asia on Wednesday (local time), Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove said she was concerned that the Quad is “only mentioned twice in the 2025 national security strat…
Washington, Feb 11 (IANS) The United States called India the anchor of South Asia and the western Indo-Pacific, as the Trump administration outlined an “America first” strategy built on trade deals, defence cooperation, and targeted investment across the region.Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapur, in a written testimony submitted before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, said President Donald Trump’s National Secur…
Washington, Feb 10 (IANS) The United States and Bangladesh signed a legally binding agreement on reciprocal trade, setting tariff schedules and broad commitments on market access, labor standards, and digital trade, US officials said.US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signed the pact with Bangladesh’s adviser for commerce, textiles and jute, and civil aviation and tourism, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, at a ceremony in Washington, according to a statement from the USTR’s office.“Under President…