by Our Correspondent in Colombo
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs S. Paul Kapur arrived in Colombo on Sunday for a three-day visit focused on strengthening trade, investment, and security cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka.
According to a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Kapur’s visit from June 21 to June 24 will include meetings with senior Sri Lankan government officials, private sector leaders, and representatives of American companies operating in or engaging with the country.
The discussions are expected to focus on expanding bilateral economic ties, increasing investment opportunities, strengthening security cooperation, and advancing shared regional priorities.
The visit comes as Sri Lanka continues to hold strategic importance for major powers because of its location along some of the world’s busiest maritime routes. Previous testimony by Kapur before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia highlighted Washington’s focus on Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean and its role in maintaining open and secure trade corridors.
During that February 2026 hearing, Kapur described smaller Indian Ocean countries as having significant importance because of their geographic position. He said maritime routes surrounding countries such as Sri Lanka are essential to global commerce and energy flows, emphasizing the need to keep these routes open for international trade.
Sri Lanka’s ports and infrastructure have been a major focus of international attention in recent years. During the congressional discussion, Kapur referred to the long-term lease of Hambantota Port as an example of concerns surrounding infrastructure financing arrangements that Washington views as potentially limiting the strategic choices of partner countries.
Kapur told lawmakers that the United States seeks to provide alternatives through transparent investment, private sector cooperation, and technical support, allowing countries to maintain economic independence while developing infrastructure.
The Colombo visit also reflects broader U.S. efforts to deepen partnerships across South and Central Asia amid increasing competition over economic, security, and diplomatic influence in the region.
Kapur was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs on October 22, 2025. Before taking the position, he served as a professor in the Department of National Security Affairs at the United States Naval Postgraduate School. He previously worked as a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution, served on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff, and taught at Claremont McKenna College.
His academic work has focused extensively on security issues in South Asia, nuclear strategy, and regional stability. He is the author of “Jihad as Grand Strategy: Islamist Militancy, National Security, and the Pakistani State” and “Dangerous Deterrent: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation and Conflict in South Asia.” He also co-authored “India, Pakistan, and the Bomb: Debating Nuclear Stability in South Asia” and co-edited “The Challenges of Nuclear Security: U.S. and Indian Perspectives.”
Kapur has also directed U.S.-India strategic dialogues and other engagements involving defense and security cooperation, reflecting his previous focus on regional partnerships.
In his congressional testimony earlier this year, Kapur emphasized the importance of cooperation with India, describing it as a key element of Washington’s approach to maintaining regional balance. He also discussed cooperation with countries including Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, highlighting trade, security, and diplomatic engagement as central components of U.S. policy.
Sri Lanka has increasingly featured in these discussions because of its location near major shipping lanes connecting Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The island’s ports, economic recovery efforts, and infrastructure decisions continue to attract attention from international partners.
The U.S. Embassy said Kapur’s visit reflects President Donald Trump’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that support American prosperity and security while deepening cooperation with Sri Lanka as an important Indian Ocean partner.
The meetings in Colombo will provide an opportunity for officials and business leaders from both countries to discuss future cooperation at a time when Sri Lanka’s strategic location and economic development remain central issues in regional engagement.
