The strategy is centred around economic nationalism, pursuit of core national interests including sovereignty, homeland defence, self-reliance, etc.
- It marks a major shift from previous NSS focussing on alliances, trade liberalisation, multilateralism, and rules-based international order, etc.
Key Shifts in the Strategy
- Regional Priorities: It places Western Hemisphere at the top of America’s regional priorities by reasserting Monroe Doctrine, and restoring America’s pre-eminence in the region.
- Monroe Doctrine (1823) dealt with non-interference of European powers in Western Hemisphere.
- Great Power Dynamics: NSS ceases to label Russia and China as an existential threat.
- Ideological Shift: The strategy replaces value-based democracy promotion with "civilizational pluralism," ending USA’s interference in internal political arrangements of countries.
- Role of Asia: It is portrayed as central to America’s future, reaffirming a free and open Indo-Pacific for America’s security.
Key Implications for India
- Improved Relations: It specifically mentions improving commercial (and other) relations with India for Indo-Pacific security through groupings like QUAD (India, Australia, Japan, and USA) and to prevent domination by a single competitor nation.
- Strategic Autonomy: The ideological shift envisaged in the policy leaves room for India to pursue its independent foreign policy choices.
- Geopolitical Relief & Irritants: A potential US-Russia détente suits India's relations with Russia. However, references to mediating India-Pakistan peace remain a diplomatic irritant.
