US hails India as a leading global power.
Describing India as a "leading global power" in its newly unveiled National Security Strategy, the Trump administration said it will deepen US' strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in maintaining security in the Indo-Pacific region.
The 68-page document said the US will seek to increase quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia and India. "We welcome India's emergence as a leading global power and stronger strategic and defence partner," said the National Security Strategy unveiled by President Donald Trump yesterday. "We will expand our defence and security cooperation with India, a Major Defence Partner of the United States, and support India's growing relationships throughout the region," the NSS said, noting that its vision for Indo-Pacific excludes no nation.
India-US defence relationship was mentioned in the context of Indo-Pacific region, whereas it gave a very prominent role to India in South and Central Asia. "We will deepen our strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region," according to the NSS which the White House said sets a positive strategic direction for the US that will restore America's advantages in the world and build upon its strengths.
With an eye on China's One Belt One Road (OBOR) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the US administration said it will help South Asian countries "maintain their sovereignty" as China increases its influence in the region. "We will help South Asian nations maintain their sovereignty as China increases its influence in the region," it said.
The recent Chinese move in Sri Lanka and Maldives is seen as an effort on their part to encroach eat on their sovereignty with similar fears in Pakistan. India has objected to CPEC as it passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The US, it said, continues to face threats from transnational terrorists and militants operating from within Pakistan.
US interests in the region include countering terrorist threats that impact the security of the US homeland and its allies, preventing cross-border terrorism that raises the prospect of military and nuclear tensions, and preventing nuclear weapons, technology, and materials from falling into the hands of terrorists, it said.
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