Reiterating its commitment to strengthen the co-operation with India, the National Security Strategy (NSS) unveiled by President Donald Trump described India as a ‘leading power.’
The strategy document also called for an increased quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.
“We welcome India’s emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defense partner. We will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India,” said the document.
The reference to “quadrilateral cooperation” was made for the first time in the National Security Strategy document.
Taking note of the aggressive stand taken by China in the region, the strategy said that a geopolitical competition between free and repressive visions of world order is taking place in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We will help South Asian nations maintain their sovereignty as China increases its influence in the region,” said the document. It is believed that this was in reference to China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The strategy identifies Russia and China as revisionist powers that “want to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests.”
“We will expand our defense and security cooperation with India, a Major Defense Partner of the United States, and support India’s growing relationships throughout the region,” the document further noted.
Washington seeks to support India in the ocean and border security considering the geopolitical situation in the region.
“We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region,” said the document.
Continuing the efforts of the Trump administration, the NSS said it will press Pakistan to take strict action against terrorism.
“We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts since no partnership can survive a country’s support for militants and terrorists who target a partner’s own service members and officials,” said the strategy.
“The United States will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets,” it added.
While encouraging India to increase the economic assistance in the region, the US will build trade and investment ties as security improves and as Pakistan demonstrates that it will assist the United States counterterrorism goals.
“The prospect for an Indo-Pakistani military conflict that could lead to a nuclear exchange remains a key concern requiring consistent diplomatic attention,” NSS said.
To ensure regional security, the US seeks its presence in the region proportionate to threats to the homeland and its allies.
The document also intends to ensure that Pakistan is not engaged in destabilizing behavior and a stable and self-reliant Afghanistan.