The Trump administration’s new National Security Strategy places India at the centre of its Indo-Pacific vision. The White House document calls for deeper economic, technological and defence cooperation with New Delhi. It also urges India to strengthen its role in the Quad with the United States, Japan, and Australia.
The strategy highlights the Indo-Pacific as a vital engine of global growth. It notes that the region already produces almost half of the world’s GDP. Washington plans to work with allies whose combined economies reach $65 trillion. US officials say these partnerships will counter what they describe as predatory economic behaviour in the region.
India’s rising economic strength and strategic location shape its importance to this plan. The document stresses cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and defence technologies. It also reaffirms US support for the Quad to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The strategy outlines a push to strengthen military capability across the First Island Chain. It also calls on partners to invest more in collective defence. Taiwan and the South China Sea remain key security concerns.
The “America First” strategy signals a shift toward interest-based partnerships. It positions India to play a central role in US economic and security plans.
