Washington (TDI): A senior US official has told Congress that Pakistan continues to play a significant role in Washington’s regional strategy, with efforts underway to deepen economic and security cooperation between the two countries.
Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia on Wednesday, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur described Pakistan as a key partner and pointed to growing collaboration in trade, energy, and counterterrorism.
“Pakistan remains an important partner in the region,” Kapur said, noting that the United States is working with Islamabad to develop its critical mineral resources. He explained that a mix of US government seed funding and private sector expertise could unlock economic opportunities beneficial to both nations.
He added that bilateral trade in sectors such as energy and agriculture is also on the rise. On the security front, Kapur highlighted continued counterterrorism coordination, saying cooperation with Pakistan supports efforts to address internal security challenges while also tackling transnational threats that could affect the United States and its allies, Dawn.com reported.
Read More: Trump Claims 10 Aircraft Were Shot Down in Pak–India Conflict
During the question-and-answer session, lawmakers raised concerns about militancy and Pakistan’s past security policies. Referring to Kapur’s academic research on militancy and national security in Pakistan, one congressman asked whether militant organisations from South or Central Asia were active inside the United States.
Kapur responded that his work examined how the Pakistani state historically interacted with militant groups. He clarified that there is no evidence of such organisations operating in the US as structured entities, though he acknowledged that isolated individuals linked to extremist ideologies could potentially be present anywhere.
He noted that counterterrorism efforts are complicated by the fact that small numbers of individuals can blend into wider communities.
Read More: Pakistan, Seven Muslim Nations Agree to Join Trump’s Proposed Board of Peace
The discussion also addressed India’s position in US strategy toward China. Asked how India could contribute to countering Beijing’s growing influence, Kapur said a strong and independent India aligns with US interests. An India capable of sustaining its own economic and military development, he argued, helps prevent any single power from dominating the Indo-Pacific region.
