Paul Kapur Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About Paul Kapur

• He was born to an Indian father and an American mother in New Delhi. He spent childhood visits to India but largely grew up in the U.S.

• Although he is a well-known scholar, Kapur has repeatedly participated in policy and government advisory roles like U.S. State Department’s Policy Planning Staff and in addition to teaching.

• In his writings named Jihad as Grand Strategy, he argues that Pakistan’s use of Islamist militants is not just a byproduct of instability, but a deliberate component of its strategy to achieve security goals. That is often considered a strong or controversial thesis.

• From 2020–2021, he served on the U.S. State Department’s policy planning staff, dealing with South and Central Asia, Indo-Pacific strategy, and U.S.-India relations.

• He is involved in U.S.-India Track 1.5 strategic dialogues and other defense and security engagements for the U.S. department of defense.

• In February 2025, nominated by President Donald Trump to be Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs.

• In his Senate confirmation and other statements, he has emphasized not only diplomatic and security ties, but also trade, technology sharing, and innovations as areas where the US-India relationship can expand to be more balanced and mutually beneficial.

• His articles show up frequently in academic journals which suggests his ideas beneath his books and policy roles.