Bangladesh is set to hold its national parliamentary elections and a referendum on February 12, which will pave the way for a new government. In this context, the United States has expressed interest in quickly strengthening its partnership with the incoming administration. S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, is expected to visit Bangladesh.
Sources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the visit is likely to take place in early March, with Kapur aiming to visit Dhaka between March 6 and 9. The trip is intended to deepen bilateral relations once the new government assumes office.
Confirming the visit, a senior Foreign Ministry official told Jago News, “If all goes as planned, Paul Kapur will visit Dhaka in early March. The trip will take place unless unforeseen circumstances arise.”
Earlier this February, President Donald Trump nominated Kapur as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. His nomination was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his appointment was finalized last October.
During his Senate committee hearing, Kapur highlighted that Bangladesh has the second-largest economy in South Asia after India. He pledged to strengthen US security interests in the region, counter China’s influence, and expand trade.
Before assuming his current role, Kapur taught at the Naval Postgraduate School, focusing on South Asian politics, security, and international relations. In 2020–21, he served as a planning officer at the US Department of State, working on South and Central Asia, Indo-Pacific strategy, and US-India relations.
Kapur has also been a faculty member at Claremont McKenna College and a visiting professor at Stanford University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and a PhD from the University of Chicago.