Washington: The United States has reaffirmed its intention to work closely with India to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific region, maintain freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and safeguard critical technological domains, according to the Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy (NSS). The 33-page document, made public on Friday, outlines America’s strategic priorities under President Donald Trump’s second term, signalling a recalibration of US foreign policy toward allies and partners like India while avoiding direct military confrontation with China.

The National Security Strategy emphasizes that while the United States does not seek global dominance, it will act decisively to prevent any single nation from achieving overwhelming influence that could threaten American interests. A key component of this approach involves reinforcing partnerships and economic cooperation with like-minded countries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. India, identified as a critical partner, is seen as a central player in sustaining regional security and stability, including through multilateral frameworks such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or “Quad,” which includes Australia, Japan, and the United States.

“We must continue to improve commercial and other relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security,” the NSS notes, underscoring the strategic importance of India’s engagement in regional defense and economic initiatives. The document stresses that close collaboration with India and other regional partners will be necessary to counter potential coercive moves by rival powers, particularly China, in vital maritime trade corridors like the South China Sea.

The NSS explicitly highlights concerns over the South China Sea, which serves as a critical artery for global commerce. The strategy warns that if a competitor were to dominate this sea route, it could disrupt international trade and threaten the global economy. The document stresses that bolstering military deterrence will be essential to prevent such outcomes, necessitating close coordination with India, Japan, and other nations directly impacted by potential disruptions. “This will require not just further investment in our military—especially naval—capabilities, but also strong cooperation with every nation that stands to suffer,” the NSS states.

Beyond maritime security, the strategy also envisions a deeper technological partnership with India. The Trump administration plans to collaborate with India and other countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa to maintain US leadership in critical technologies, including those related to defense, communications, and strategic minerals. The NSS explicitly mentions the need to “cement and improve our joint positions in the Western Hemisphere and, with regard to critical minerals, in Africa,” highlighting the global scope of American strategic and technological ambitions.

In contrast, Pakistan is mentioned only briefly in the document, primarily in reference to Trump’s assertion that he helped broker a ceasefire agreement between New Delhi and Islamabad. The NSS largely focuses on India as a proactive partner in upholding stability and countering regional threats, reflecting a clear prioritization of Indo-US strategic cooperation over engagement with traditional South Asian rivals.

The release of the NSS marks the first formal national security strategy document since Trump returned to the presidency in January. It signals a stark departure from the approach taken by President Joe Biden’s administration, which focused on strengthening alliances that were perceived to have been weakened during Trump’s first term and on countering Russian assertiveness globally. The new strategy, in contrast, emphasizes “America First” principles, advocating for non-intervention abroad, reassessing long-standing strategic relationships, and prioritizing the protection of US interests above global engagement.

The document also contains pointed critiques of America’s European allies, highlighting concerns over domestic economic stagnation and social policies. It warns that migration and perceived restrictions on free speech could pose “the prospect of civilisational erasure,” calling into question the long-term reliability of these partners as American allies. While the strategy largely prioritizes Asia, these observations signal that Trump’s approach may include harsher scrutiny of Europe’s political and economic stability, reflecting a strategic pivot toward regions and partners deemed essential to US interests.

For India, the NSS represents both an opportunity and a signal of increased strategic alignment with the United States. By emphasizing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, critical technologies, and regional security frameworks, the strategy positions India as a pivotal partner in countering coercive influence and safeguarding maritime and economic stability. The focus on technological collaboration further underscores the growing convergence between the two nations in sectors crucial for national security and global competitiveness.

As regional dynamics in Asia continue to evolve, the Trump administration’s NSS underscores a commitment to bolstering bilateral and multilateral ties, with India emerging as a linchpin in the United States’ vision for a stable, secure, and technologically advanced Indo-Pacific. By integrating India into strategic, military, and economic frameworks, Washington aims to ensure that the region remains resilient against challenges posed by rival powers while safeguarding the free flow of commerce and technological innovation.

The document, while reflecting Trump’s characteristic assertiveness and “America First” orientation, clearly signals that India will be a central partner in the United States’ strategy to maintain influence and stability in one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.