On February 11, Washington (NationPress) recognized India as the keystone of South Asia and the broader western Indo-Pacific region. This designation comes as the Trump administration unveiled an “America First” strategy focused on trade agreements, defense collaboration, and strategic investments throughout the region.

Paul Kapur, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, submitted written testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia. He emphasized that President Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy clearly states that the U.S. should prioritize its interests through active involvement in crucial global areas.

“Under the President’s guidance, we have advanced our economic and security objectives while supporting our allies,” Kapur remarked ahead of his testimony.

Kapur characterized South Asia as “extremely significant,” noting that “India is home to over a billion people and spans a vast subcontinent.”

He cautioned that a “hostile power” controlling South Asia could leverage its influence over the global economy, asserting that “the United States must thwart this scenario and maintain the region’s freedom.”

Kapur stated that India, “due to its size, location, and dedication to an open and free region, serves as the anchor for South Asia and, more broadly, the western Indo-Pacific.”

He highlighted the increasing bilateral collaboration, showcasing high-level diplomatic interactions and cooperation in defense, technology, and energy. He mentioned the renewed ten-year US-India Defense Framework Agreement, the TRUST initiative, and India's acquisition of various U.S. products, “from drones to liquefied natural gas.”

Kapur also pointed out recent advancements in trade. “Just last week, President Trump and Prime Minister Modi finalized a groundbreaking trade framework,” he indicated.

Furthermore, he noted that “two days ago, the Trump Administration finalized a trade agreement with Bangladesh, granting U.S. exporters access to Bangladesh’s market of 175 million consumers.”

Beyond trade, he outlined three principal strategies for enhancing strategic capacity: “Defense collaboration, targeted investments, and diplomacy.”

Referring to Pakistan as “another vital partner,” Kapur stated that Washington is collaborating with Islamabad to unlock the potential of its critical mineral resources, integrating U.S. government seed funding with private sector expertise.

He also referenced growing trade in energy and agriculture, along with ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

Kapur emphasized the significance of Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan, noting their strategic positions but also their vulnerability to coercion.

He raised concerns over “the perils of debt-trap diplomacy.”

Kapur called for bipartisan collaboration, urging, “Let’s unite to enhance strategic capacity in the region, empowering our partners to support themselves and ensuring a safer, stronger, and more prosperous United States.”

South Asia remains a cornerstone of Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy, especially as the U.S. aims to counter China’s expanding influence in the region. India has emerged as a pivotal ally through defense collaboration, multilateral partnerships, and increased trade engagement.