US official tells congress: Pakistan remains key partner in South and Central Asia

WEB DESK: A senior US diplomat has described Pakistan as an important partner in the region, emphasising ongoing and expanding cooperation in security, counterterrorism, economic development, and critical mineral resources under the Trump administration.

Expanding security, trade, and counterterrorism cooperation

Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur, the State Department’s point person for South and Central Asia, made the remarks during a hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia on Wednesday.

Testifying on US strategy in the region, Kapur highlighted Pakistan’s strategic importance amid broader discussions on partnerships, regional stability, countering militancy, and geopolitical dynamics involving China, India, and Afghanistan.

“Pakistan is another important partner in the region,” Kapur told lawmakers. “We are working together with Pakistan to realise the potential of its critical mineral resources, combining US government seed financing with private sector know-how would benefit both of our countries.”

According to Express Tribune, he further noted expanding bilateral trade, particularly in energy and agriculture sectors, and stressed the value of continued security collaboration.

“Our trade in energy and agriculture is expanding as well,” Kapur said. “And our ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation helps Pakistan combat internal security threats while addressing transnational dangers that can harm the US or our partners.”

The testimony comes at a time when US-Pakistan ties are showing signs of renewed engagement, including recent agreements on border management and security cooperation. It contrasts with earlier periods of strained relations following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and shifting priorities toward countering China in the Indo-Pacific.

During the question-and-answer session, lawmakers from both parties raised questions about regional militancy, Pakistan’s historical security strategies, and potential threats from extremist groups. One congressman referenced Kapur’s own academic work on militancy in Pakistan, inquiring whether coherent militant groups from South and Central Asia operate in the US. Kapur responded that no such organised groups are known to be active in the United States, though individual members could pose detection challenges by blending into populations.

The hearing also touched upon Afghanistan, where Kapur clarified that the US is not forcibly repatriating Afghans, noting some voluntary returns and financial assistance programs for those in temporary facilities in Qatar.

Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga (R) stressed the need for a broad, values-driven US approach in South Asia, focused on partnerships, economic ties, and democratic principles. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) expressed concerns over recent regional crises, including the India-Pakistan conflict, and criticised aspects of the administration’s diplomacy, while raising alarms about potential Taliban recognition without safeguards for Afghan women’s rights.

Kapur’s positive framing of Pakistan as a partner aligns with efforts to deepen economic and security engagement, even as broader US policy continues to prioritise alliances like the Quad (with India, Japan, and Australia) to counter Chinese influence.

No immediate official reaction from Pakistani authorities was reported in connection with the testimony, but it reinforces messages of mutual benefit in bilateral relations amid shared interests in regional stability and counterterrorism.

The hearing reflects Washington’s ongoing interest in engaging Pakistan strategically, despite past fluctuations in ties. As one of the few nuclear-armed nations in a volatile region, Pakistan’s role in security, minerals, and trade remains relevant to US interest