Biden’s national security strategy flags China as top threat, refers to India as a key partner

Washington, Oct 13: Releasing its long-delayed national security strategy, the Biden administration said that maintaining a competitive edge over China and constraining Russia are the priorities for the U.S. strategy.

 

 

In its 48 pages on national security strategy, the Biden administration says that Russia now poses an immediate and persistent threat to international peace and stability. The US also accused Russia of posing an "immediate and ongoing threat to the regional security order in Europe.

 

 

While the National Security Strategy has labeled China as "America’s most consequential geopolitical challenge." It said that China is the "only competitor" of the US which is intending to "reshape the international order" and aims to create an enhanced sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific and "become the world’s leading power."

 

 

Talking about India, the USA referred to it as the world's largest democracy and says that Washington and New Delhi will "work together, bilaterally and multilaterally, to support our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

 

The strategy document also says the Biden administration will "work with South Asian regional partners to address...the PRC's [People's Republic of China] coercive behavior.

 

“As India is the world’s largest democracy and a Major Defence Partner, the United States and India will work together, bilaterally and multilaterally, to support our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the strategy says.

 

It mentions the "revitalized Quad," saying the grouping which brings the US together with Japan, India, and Australia, addresses "regional challenges and has demonstrated its ability to deliver for the Indo-Pacific," including in "promoting high standards for infrastructure."

 

"The Quad and AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, US) will also be critical to addressing regional challenges, and we will further reinforce our collective strength by weaving our allies and partners closer together—including by encouraging tighter linkages between like-minded Indo-Pacific and European countries," the document reads.

 

"From the Indo-Pacific Quad to the US-EU Trade and Technology Council, from AUKUS to I2-U2 (India, Israel, UAE, US), we are creating a latticework of strong, resilient, and mutually reinforcing relationships that prove democracies can deliver for their people and the world," it adds.