US says Nepal and Bangladesh elections offer ‘New Opportunity’ for South Asia engagement

KATHMANDU: A senior US lawmaker has said recent political transitions and upcoming elections in Nepal and Bangladesh present a new opening for American engagement in South Asia, signaling a potential shift in Washington’s regional strategy.

Speaking at the opening session of a congressional hearing on US foreign policy in South Asia on Thursday, Bill Huizenga, chair of the US House Subcommittee on South and Central Asia, stated that both Nepal and Bangladesh are undergoing major political transformations following youth-driven uprisings that toppled governments.

“After the uprisings, elections in Bangladesh and Nepal have presented new chapters for engagement in South Asia, which will define US relations with these new governments,” Huizenga said.

Bangladesh held its first general election Thursday after the 2024 political revolt, while Nepal is scheduled to conduct elections on Falgun 21 (early March 2026).

Huizenga described South and Central Asia as a dynamic region with a rapidly growing young population increasingly drawn toward Western values rather than what he termed “authoritarian alternatives.” He noted the region is home to nearly two billion people, fast-growing economies, and strategic sea lanes critical to global power balance in the Indo-Pacific.

He added that US President Donald Trump has negotiated agreements aimed at opening markets and advancing American economic interests across the region.

“Now we are going to engage, and how we engage will determine America’s role in Asia for decades,” Huizenga said.

The lawmaker also expressed concern over China’s expanding border infrastructure along India, Nepal, and Bhutan, emphasizing that maintaining a free and open Indian Ocean is a priority for US national and economic security.

He accused Beijing of using “predatory lending” practices to advance its security interests and trap smaller nations in debt. According to him, strengthening naval cooperation with partners would counter growing Chinese influence and protect critical maritime trade routes that carry more than 80 percent of global seaborne oil trade.

Huizenga highlighted the strategic importance of the US naval facility at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, stating that maintaining military presence in the region would deter pressure, prevent piracy, and ensure uninterrupted global commerce.

Calling India the world’s largest democracy and one of the fastest-growing economies, he described it as a key strategic partner for Washington. He also said a recently brokered trade agreement between the United States and India — alongside a trade deal signed with Bangladesh — marked a major shift in US regional engagement.

According to Huizenga, the US-India trade deal sets India’s tariff rate at 18 percent, among the lowest in the region, and includes commitments from New Delhi to increase purchases of American energy.

He added that deeper defense cooperation, trade, and technological partnership with New Delhi would advance shared strategic interests across the Indo-Pacific region.