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News Topical, Digital Desk : The United States has released its latest National Security Strategy (NSS) report. The 48-page report identifies China as the biggest and most serious challenge to America's national security. The report devotes an entire chapter to China, detailing its military modernization, economic coercion, technological theft, and aggressive expansionism in the Indo-Pacific region.
On the other hand, India, the world's largest democracy and a rapidly emerging superpower, is mentioned only four times in the report. This in itself provides a clear indication of US policy priorities. However, the report also emphasizes the need for stronger cooperation with countries like India to address the challenges emerging in the Indo-Pacific region.
America will stand with India
The report calls India “a major defense partner” and “an important pillar of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” The US explicitly states that it wants to deepen defense and technological cooperation with India to counter China’s growing military and economic aggression.
According to the report, "We will continue to strengthen our major defense partnership with India to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific region." This statement reflects the continuity of the Quad organization and indicates that the US views India as a strategic balance against China, not as an equal-level global partner. It should be noted that the Quad's annual summit was scheduled to be held in India this year but could not be held. It is reported that this could not be done due to ongoing tensions between India and the US over President Trump's tariff policy.
Pakistan is mentioned only once in Trump's National Security Strategy, and that too in the context of the ceasefire Trump claimed during the India-Pakistan conflict of May 2025. It is not mentioned anywhere else in the report.
This neglect is all the more surprising given that Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his alleged role in the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Pakistan's de facto leader, General Asim Munir, has visited Washington, D.C., several times. Yet, Islamabad's diplomatic efforts appear to be in vain, with Pakistan given no strategic importance in US strategy.
Told China a rival
The report describes China as “the only rival that has both the intent and the capability to challenge America’s global power.” With an entire chapter devoted to China, it is clear that the Trump administration’s entire national security strategy now revolves around “containing China.”
In the US's view, India is certainly a useful and important partner, but one that is needed primarily to counter China. The limited mention of India in the report is evidence that US policymakers still view India as part of an anti-China coalition in the Indo-Pacific, rather than as an independent superpower. This imbalance sends a clear message to India.
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