Washington has recognized India as a central pillar for stability in South Asia and the western Indo-Pacific, as the Trump administration outlined its “America first” approach focused on trade, defense collaboration, and targeted investments across the region. In written testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur emphasized that President Trump’s National Security Strategy prioritizes active engagement in key global regions to advance US economic and security interests. Kapur highlighted South Asia’s global significance,…