New Delhi | September 9, 2025 — As tensions rise across South Asia, analysts warn of a growing pattern of U.S. policies contributing to regional instability, with Washington accused of “political engineering” in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
The latest flashpoint comes as Donald Trump’s administration ramps up tariffs, sanctions, and covert alignments aimed at reshaping the Indo-Pacific order — actions critics describe as a deliberate strategy to destabilize governments and pressure emerging economies.
Trump’s Pressure on India Raises Alarms
- Massive Trade Shocks: Washington has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports — combining a 25% “reciprocal duty” with an additional 25% linked to India’s Russian oil imports.
- Sanctions Threats Escalate: Trump has warned of “phase-2 and phase-3 sanctions” if India doesn’t scale back its energy ties with Moscow.
- Diplomatic Friction: India’s recalibration toward Russia and China signals waning U.S. influence and a shift toward strategic autonomy.
Nepal in Flames: U.S. Accused of “Digital Engineering”
- PM Resignation & Asylum: Nepal’s Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned amid Gen Z–led uprisings, with reports suggesting Dubai asylum arrangements possibly backed by Western intermediaries.
- Presidential Palace Vandalised: Protesters breached state buildings, storming the Presidential Palace and forcing military evacuation by helicopter.
- Airport Shutdown: Tribhuwan International Airport remains closed amid violent unrest and flight disruptions.
- Deep-State Allegations: Analysts see striking parallels with Bangladesh’s regime crisis, raising questions over coordinated youth mobilization and external influence.
Bangladesh: U.S. Role Under Spotlight
Bangladesh’s political earthquake, which saw its leadership forced into exile earlier this year, is increasingly being framed as U.S.-aligned orchestration:
- Youth-Led Movements erupted almost overnight, mirroring patterns now seen in Nepal.
- Economic sanctions and behind-the-scenes diplomacy accelerated the leadership collapse.
- Analysts link these moves to Washington’s broader Indo-Pacific realignment strategy.
Myanmar: A Silent Front
While global attention remains on India and Nepal, Washington’s policies toward Myanmar also raise eyebrows:
- Support for selective sanctions and rebel networks continues amid prolonged civil unrest.
- Critics accuse the U.S. of weaponizing democracy narratives to consolidate strategic leverage in Southeast Asia.
Washington Under Fire: Human Rights vs. Strategic Interests
International watchdogs and regional analysts accuse the U.S. of double standards:
- Publicly championing human rights, but backing policy maneuvers that trigger unrest.
- Using digital freedoms and AI-powered social movements as indirect tools to challenge non-aligned regimes.
- Encouraging “soft destabilization” to achieve resource access and geopolitical control in South Asia.
The Bigger Picture: A Geopolitical Chessboard
From Bangladesh to Nepal to India, Washington’s moves reflect a high-risk Indo-Pacific play:
- Weakening regimes that lean toward Russia or China.
- Engineering domestic volatility to force realignment.
- Projecting power while shifting economic vulnerabilities onto emerging nations.
But the blowback is growing. Regional powers are forging new alliances — from BRICS+ to Belt & Road partnerships — resisting what they see as U.S. overreach and manipulation.
Conclusion
The U.S.’s actions under Trump’s administration are reshaping South Asia’s political equilibrium — but at the cost of trust, stability, and sovereignty.
For India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, the path ahead hinges on:
- Building resilience against economic coercion.
- Diversifying alliances to balance U.S. influence.
- Reinforcing domestic political safeguards to withstand external pressure.
The world watches as Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy faces mounting criticism for allegedly becoming the biggest abuser of human rights under the guise of defending them.
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