US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur Arrives in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. US Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur has arrived in Nepal. He reached Kathmandu this morning. This marks the first high-level US visit since the formation of the new government under the leadership of Balendra (Balen) Shah.

He is scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle today. No other meetings have been disclosed. Sources from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that high-level meetings with President Ramchandra Paudel and Prime Minister Balen Shah have not yet been confirmed.

Kapur, who is close to US President Donald Trump, oversees South and Central Asian affairs. President Trump appointed Kapur in Falgun 2081, replacing former Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu. 

Following his appointment, there was significant discussion regarding his Indian heritage. He was born in India to an Indian father and an American mother.

Assistant Secretary Kapur's visit to Nepal is being viewed as significant, especially amid commentary regarding US influence on the formation of the current government.

Kapur, a former professor in the Department of National Security Affairs, also served on the State Department's Policy Planning Staff during the final year of President Trump's previous term in 2020–21, where he was responsible for South Asian affairs. 

A former professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School, Kapur was once analyzed as a staunch critic of Pakistan. However, his role in the mediation efforts by Pakistan to facilitate talks between Iran and the US has recently been noted.

Since his time as a State Department official, he has been considered an expert in South Asian security, nuclear strategy, and international relations. He has conducted research specifically on India–Pakistan relations, terrorism, and regional security.

Amid growing geopolitical competition in South and Central Asia, Nepal's foreign policy is currently a subject of discussion. The diplomatic steps taken by the Balen-led government have also garnered attention.