Washington, Feb. 13 -- In a forceful articulation of US strategy in Asia, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapoor declared that a strong, independent India is indispensable to preventing Chinese dominance in the Indo-Pacific.
The congressional hearing underscored broad agreement on the strategic importance of South and Central Asia, even as lawmakers remained deeply divided over how best to advance US interests in a region increasingly shaped by China's rise and political upheaval.
Kapoor made clear that Washington views India as a pivotal strategic partner and that U.S. policy is not about containment for its own sake, but about preserving balance and sovereignty across the region.
Sharp partisan ...