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Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), has said his visit highlighted Nepal’s leadership in promoting regional stability, disaster preparedness, and peacekeeping. He visited Nepal ahead of the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives (HoR), which are taking place against the backdrop of the September 8–9 Gen Z protest. The visit highlighted Nepal’s leadership in promoting regional stability, disaster preparedness, and peacekeeping. U.S.-Nepal cooperation in these areas benefits Nepali and American citizens throughout the region and supports global peacekeeping efforts, says a press statement issued by INDOPACOM after the two-day visit. During his stay, Paparo met Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma and Gen. Ashok Raj Sigdel, Chief of Army Staff of the Nepali Army, to discuss strengthening collaboration in disaster response and Nepal’s significant contributions to United Nations peacekeeping missions. At the Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre in Panchkhal, Paparo interacted with Nepali peacekeeping professionals and observed pre-deployment training activities. The center plays a vital role in preparing Nepali troops for UN peacekeeping missions and supports multinational peace operations, reinforcing Nepal’s standing as one of the world’s leading troop-contributing countries to UN missions. An alumni event hosted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS) and its director, Suzanne P. Vares-Lum, brought together Nepali graduates of APCSS programs. The gathering provided a platform for security professionals to exchange ideas and explore collaborative approaches to regional security challenges. INDOPACOM and Nepal have maintained close cooperation in strengthening disaster response capabilities through joint exercises, technical assistance, and the provision of non-combat equipment such as helicopters, vehicles, and communication systems. U.S. training and logistical support have also enhanced Nepal’s capacity to conduct humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, the statement said. Officials said the partnership aligns with Nepal’s goal of enhancing self-reliance while contributing to regional resilience and preparedness. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command reiterated its commitment to promoting stability across the region through security cooperation, peaceful development, and coordinated responses to emerging challenges, according to the statement. Paparo’s visit highlighted Nepal’s strategic importance in South Asia and reaffirmed its leadership role in fostering regional stability and advancing global peacekeeping efforts. During then Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali’s visit to the United States on December 18, 2018, then U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo highlighted Nepal’s central role in a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific and in global affairs.  The 2019 U.S. Department of Defense Indo-Pacific Strategy Report officially described Nepal as a valued partner. The report listed Nepal as a member of the State Partnership Program (SPP), which was later rejected by the Nepal government. This week, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Chairman Bill Huizenga has said that recent elections in Bangladesh and Nepal present new opportunities for U.S. engagement in South Asia. In his opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing titled “South Asia: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Region,” Huizenga described South and Central Asia as a dynamic region where young and growing populations are increasingly drawn to Western cultures and values rather than to what he called China’s “authoritarian alternative.” Bordering India, both Nepal and Bangladesh are undergoing significant political transformations. Bangladesh held general elections on February 12, following the July 2024 revolution that led to the ouster of an authoritarian government in September 2025. Meanwhile, Nepal is set to hold democratic elections on March 5 after youth-led protests overthrew the previous government.