Key Takeaways
- •President Trump brokered a historic trade deal with India, setting its tariff rate at 18%, and signed a new trade deal with Bangladesh, boosting U.S. economic interests.
- •Assistant Secretary Kapur outlined the administration's strategy for South Asia, focusing on defense cooperation, targeted investment, and diplomacy to build strategic capacity.
- •Rep. Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) pressed Assistant Secretary Kapur on the State Department offering payments to Afghan allies at CAS to self-deport, asking about the number of individuals.
- •Republicans praised the Trump administration's trade deals and strong India ties, while Democrats criticized its "self-sabotage" and "cruelty" regarding Afghanistan and diplomatic decimation.
- •Assistant Secretary Kapur committed to briefing the committee and staff on the ongoing interagency review of Afghanistan policy, acknowledging its complexity and many moving pieces.
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Hearing Analysis
Key Testimony
On February 11, 2026, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia held its first regional posture hearing of the year to examine U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests in the region. Chaired by Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI-4), the hearing featured testimony from the Honorable S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The discussion focused on the Trump administration’s "America First" approach to the region, specifically regarding trade deals with India and Bangladesh, countering the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) influence, and the ongoing humanitarian and relocation challenges in Afghanistan.
Overview
The hearing opened with Chairman Huizenga highlighting the strategic importance of South Asia, home to nearly 2 billion people and vital maritime corridors. He praised President Trump’s recent negotiation of a historic trade deal with India, which set tariff rates at 18% and increased Indian purchases of American energy. Huizenga emphasized the need to counter China’s "predatory lending" and "debt trap diplomacy" through the Belt and Road Initiative. He also underscored the importance of maintaining the U.S. naval base on Diego Garcia to ensure a free and open Indian Ocean.
In contrast, Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) offered a sharp critique of the administration’s policies. She argued that previous 50% tariffs on India had "torn a needless rupture" in bilateral ties and delayed the Quad Leaders’ Summit. Her most pointed remarks concerned Afghanistan, where she accused the State Department of "betraying" Afghan allies by closing the relocation processing center at Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) in Qatar and offering payments for "self-deportation" back to Taliban-controlled territory. She also criticized the "decimation" of USAID and democracy assistance programs in the region.
Key Testimony
Assistant Secretary Kapur testified that the administration is using a "strategic capacity building" framework involving defense cooperation, targeted investment, and diplomacy. He noted that despite trade tensions, the U.S. and India recently signed a renewed 10-year defense framework agreement. Kapur highlighted a new trade deal with Bangladesh, signed just days prior, which opens a market of 175 million people to American exporters. Regarding Pakistan, Kapur discussed cooperation on critical mineral resources and counterterrorism. He characterized India as the "anchor" of the region, noting that a strong, independent India naturally prevents Chinese hegemony in the Indo-Pacific.
Policy Proposals
Policy proposals discussed included the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, a Cold War-era trade restriction. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA-6) argued that the amendment is a "relic" that inhibits U.S. investment in Central Asian nations rich in critical minerals and energy. Kapur agreed with Bera, signaling a rare moment of bipartisan consensus. Rep. Bera also introduced H. Res. 880, a bipartisan resolution aimed at re-codifying the importance of the U.S.-India relationship.
Overview
The hearing touched on significant industry impacts, particularly in the defense and energy sectors. Kapur mentioned Indian purchases of U.S. drones and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as key components of the bilateral relationship. He also noted the strategic importance of the "String of Pearls" theory, where China seeks influence over oceanic states like Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Kapur suggested that the U.S. must offer high-quality, transparent financing alternatives for infrastructure projects, such as the Thilafushi Port in the Maldives, to prevent Chinese dominance of sea lanes.
Notable Exchanges
Notable exchanges occurred during the second round of questioning regarding Afghanistan. Rep. Kamlager-Dove pressed Kapur on the fate of approximately 1,100 to 1,200 Afghans at CAS. Kapur confirmed that about 150 individuals had accepted payments to leave the facility, though he maintained these departures were voluntary and not "forced repatriation." He also confirmed that, structurally, he currently serves as the coordinator for Afghan relocation efforts, a role mandated by a 2024 law.
Overview
Partisan dynamics were evident in the framing of regional stability. While Republicans focused on military fortitude and trade as tools of deterrence against China, Democrats emphasized the loss of "soft power" tools like democracy programming and scholarships for women. Rep. Keith Self (R-TX-3) questioned Kapur on the effectiveness of India’s pledge to cease importing Russian oil, expressing concern that Russian energy was being laundered through third-party traders to fund the war in Ukraine. Kapur noted that India is diversifying its energy sources toward the U.S. but admitted that enforcement of oil sanctions involves complex interagency coordination.
The hearing concluded with a focus on upcoming political transitions. Bangladesh was scheduled to hold elections the day following the hearing, and Nepal is set for democratic elections next month following youth-led anti-corruption protests. Kapur expressed optimism about these transitions and committed to providing the subcommittee with a member-level briefing on the administration’s comprehensive Afghanistan policy review once a consensus is reached. Chairman Huizenga and Ranking Member Kamlager-Dove both emphasized the need for continued transparency and regular briefings as these regional shifts unfold.
Transcript
The subcommittee on South and Central Asia will come to order and the purpose of this hearing is to examine Americans foreign policy across South Central Asia. I'm very pleased to have our the Under Secretary for South and Central Asia with us and sorry I am excuse me one second. [Recess.] I appreciate the patience of our ranking member as well as our as our witness here today. Today I have the pleasure of convening the first regional posture hearing of the year and I want to thank Assistant Secretary Kapur for his presence here today. We are gathered to discuss one of the most important regions in the world, South and Central Asia. Our strategy there is key to the United States national security and economic strength and our global presence. South and Central Asia is home to nearly 2 billion people, dynamic economies and strategic waterways that shape the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. Throughout the region, the President has successfully negotiated deals that open markets and advance U.S. economic interests. How now we are going to engage and how we engage will define America's role in Asia for decades to come. China has come to the same conclusion, no surprise. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China engages in predatory lending to further its security interests and force smaller nations into debt traps. Furthermore, China has hardened its border with India, Nepal, and Bhutan, building infrastructure to support its military aspirations. Despite its distance from our shores, maintaining a free and open Indian Ocean is a priority for our national and our economic security. The Indian Ocean is one of the busiest maritime corridors on the earth, carrying the lifeblood of global commerce and energy, including more than 80 percent of global seaborne oil trade. Safeguarding these sea lanes through enhanced naval cooperation with partners and allies will only serve to counter China's growing influence and limit its malign behavior in the region. Alongside President Trump, I too see the importance of our naval base on Diego Garcia in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I echo this sentiment that preserving America's military fortitude in the region will deter Chinese coercion, prevent piracy, and ensure the free flow of American and world trade. Directly north of Diego Garcia, India, the largest democracy in the world and one of the fastest growing economies, remains a vital strategic partner. Just last week, President Trump brokered a historic trade deal with India, completely revamping U.S. engagement with the country. The U.S.-India trade deal sets India's tariff rate at 18 percent, one of the lowest regionally. Moreover, Delhi has agreed to buy more American energy. This deal will strengthen U.S.-India relations, support American workers through manufacturing and joint technology ventures, and boost our exports. Strengthening ties with New Delhi through defense cooperation, trade, and technology partnerships advances our shared interests. I look forward to increasing cooperation, co-production, and investment, especially under the new framework negotiated by the President. Bordering India, Nepal and Bangladesh are undergoing political transformations. Bangladesh will hold free elections tomorrow following its 2024 July revolution, which ousted an authoritarian government. In September of 2025, Nepalese youth overthrew the government and Nepal will hold democratic elections next month. Both of these instances offer new chapters for engagement in South Asia, defining U.S. relations with these new governments. South and Central Asia is a dynamic region. Young, growing populations are more often drawn to Western culture and values than to China's authoritarian alternative. Strategic U.S.-led diplomacy will make a difference in building alliances and achieving our mutual beneficial goals throughout the region. Our strategy in South Asia must be comprehensive, anchored in strong partnerships, economic engagement, and a commitment to democratic values. Our engagement in the region must advance American interests but also contribute to a more secure, prosperous, and free Indian Ocean. I look forward to hearing from Assistant Secretary Kapur regarding the administration's South and Central Asia strategy. And with that, I yield back. The chair now recognizes the ranking member from California, Representative Kamlager-Dove, for an opening statement.
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