Nepal Elections in Spotlight as US Pushes ‘Free and Open’ South Asia Vision
As Nepal prepares for parliamentary elections on March 5, the United States has expressed confidence in a peaceful democratic process while underscoring the country’s strategic importance in South Asia.
Testifying before the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, US Assistant Secretary of State Paul Kapur said Washington is ready to work with whichever government emerges from the polls. He stressed that ensuring regional stability and preventing domination by any single power remain core US objectives.
Kapur linked Nepal’s upcoming vote to broader political transitions in South Asia, citing recent developments in Bangladesh. He described youth-driven movements in the region as opportunities for strengthening democratic participation.
Highlighting Nepal’s sensitive geopolitical position between India and China, Kapur warned against “coercive leverage” and debt-driven influence strategies—an apparent reference to Beijing’s Belt and Road investments. He reiterated that the US seeks not to exclude China but to prevent any single hegemon from dominating South Asia.
Subcommittee Chairman Bill Huizenga echoed concerns about predatory lending and stressed the importance of a free and open Indian Ocean for global trade. Democratic Ranking Member Sydney Kamlager-Dove called the political transitions in Nepal and Bangladesh a rare opportunity for the US to support accountable governance.
