New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday announced the National Security Strategy (NSS), the first of its kind since he took office in January and the 17th since the former Reagan administration began to submit the report to the U.S. Congress in 1987.
In a speech delivered in Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, Trump said the report, which has been developed for over a year, features “principled realism” and identifies four vital national interests or four “pillars,” namely, to protect the homeland and its people, promote the U.S. prosperity, preserve peace through strength and advance the U.S. influence.
The release states that the government of America will respond to the growing political, economic, and military competitions it faces around the world.
The nation states are in perpetual competition and the U.S. must fight on all fronts to protect and defend its sovereignty from friend and foe alike. The release often says that “America First” does not mean “America Alone,” the national security strategy to be presented by Mr. Trump will make clear that the United States will stand up for itself even if that means acting unilaterally or alienating others on issues like trade, climate change and immigration, according to people familiar with the strategy.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later issued an announcement, saying that the United States “faces a 21st century global environment that presents unconventional threats from non-state actors, as well as challenges to our economic and national security from traditional state actors. President Trump’s new National Security Strategy brings to bear all elements of American power to protect our people, generate new economic opportunities, and advance our interests and democratic principles.”
Describing India as a “leading global power”, the US said it will “deepen” America’s strategic partnership with India and support its leadership role in Indian Ocean security and throughout the broader region.
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 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 NSS said, noting that its vision for Indo-Pacific excludes no nation.
