US Seeks Stronger Alliance with India to Counter Indo-Pacific Security Challenges as Putin Visits Delhi

The United States is emphasizing the importance of strengthening its relationship with India, following recent tensions over trade and tariffs, according to a new report highlighting India's crucial role in addressing Indo-Pacific security challenges.

The latest US National Security Strategy Report released in November specifically mentions the Quad alliance - comprising India, Japan, Australia, and the United States - as an essential framework for addressing Indo-Pacific security concerns.

"We must continue to improve commercial and other relations with India to encourage New Delhi to contribute to Indo-Pacific security, including through continued quadrilateral cooperation with Australia, Japan, and the United States ('the Quad'). We will also work to align the actions of our allies and partners with our joint interest in preventing domination by any single competitor nation," the report states.

This strategic document emerges as Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Delhi, highlighting India's continued close relationship with Russia - a situation that presents complications for US foreign policy objectives.

The India-Russia relationship remains a concern for Washington, particularly after President Trump's attempts to use tariffs to discourage India's imports of Russian crude oil. These measures appear to have been counterproductive, with Putin praising India for maintaining its independent position despite international pressure.

The report also references Trump's claim of mediating peace between India and Pakistan during the May conflict, though India has maintained that Pakistan requested the ceasefire that ended hostilities.

Additionally, the US strategy document calls for cooperation with India and other Asian and European allies to strengthen their collective position regarding critical minerals in Africa.

Regarding Indo-Pacific security, the report identifies potential control of the South China Sea by competitor nations as a significant security challenge. Such control could enable "a potentially hostile power to impose a toll system over one of the world's most vital lanes of commerce or—worse—to close and reopen it at will."

The strategy document emphasizes that addressing these challenges "will require not just further investment in our military, especially naval capabilities, but also strong cooperation with every nation that stands to suffer, from India to Japan and beyond, if this problem is not addressed."