• The new National Security Strategy (NSS) of the United States places “Make America Great Again (MAGA)” as its core agenda.
  • The strategy reflects a fundamental reorientation of U.S. foreign and security policy priorities.
• The NSS is primarily centred on economic nationalism.
  • Economic nationalism refers to policies that prioritise domestic industries, national self-reliance, and protection of economic interests over global integration.
• The strategy also focuses on the pursuit of core national interests.
  • These core interests include national sovereignty, which means the supreme authority of the state over its territory and decisions.
• Another priority is homeland defence.
  • Homeland defence refers to protecting the U.S. mainland from external military and non-military threats.
• The NSS further emphasises self-reliance.
  • Self-reliance indicates reduced dependence on foreign supply chains, alliances, and external actors.

Major Shift from Previous National Security Strategies

• The new NSS marks a significant departure from earlier U.S. National Security Strategies. Previous strategies strongly emphasised alliances with traditional partners.
• Earlier NSS documents also prioritised trade liberalisation.
  • Trade liberalisation refers to the reduction of tariffs and barriers to promote free global trade.
• Multilateralism was a central feature of past strategies.
  • Multilateralism means cooperation among multiple countries through international institutions.
• The earlier focus also included strengthening a rules-based international order.
  • A rules-based international order refers to global governance based on agreed international laws and norms.

Key Shifts in the New Strategy

1. Regional Priorities

• The NSS places the Western Hemisphere at the top of America’s regional priorities. This shift reflects a renewed focus on the immediate geographical neighbourhood of the United States.
• The strategy reasserts the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe Doctrine (1823) opposed interference by European powers in the Western Hemisphere.
• The NSS aims to restore America’s pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere. Pre-eminence means political, economic, and strategic dominance in the region.

2. Great Power Dynamics

• The NSS no longer labels Russia and China as existential threats. An existential threat refers to a danger that threatens the very survival of a state.
• This change indicates a softer rhetorical posture toward major powers.

3. Ideological Shift

• The strategy replaces value-based democracy promotion with civilizational pluralism.
  Value-based democracy promotion involved promoting liberal democratic values abroad.
• Civilizational pluralism recognises that different societies may follow distinct political, cultural, and civilizational paths.
• The NSS explicitly signals an end to U.S. interference in the internal political arrangements of other countries.
  Internal political arrangements refer to a country’s domestic governance and constitutional structure.

4. Role of Asia

• Asia is portrayed as central to America’s future in the new NSS. The region is linked directly to U.S. long-term economic and security interests.
• The strategy reaffirms support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. A Free and Open Indo-Pacific refers to open sea lanes, respect for sovereignty, and rules-based regional order.
• This vision is considered essential for America’s national security.

Key Implications for India

1. Improved India–U.S. Relations

• The NSS specifically mentions improving commercial relations with India. Commercial relations include trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
• The strategy also highlights broader cooperation with India for Indo-Pacific security.
• India’s role is emphasised through groupings such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD).
  • The QUAD includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States.
  • The QUAD aims to prevent domination of the Indo-Pacific by a single competitor nation. This refers primarily to concerns over strategic imbalance in the region.

2. Strategic Autonomy for India

• The ideological shift toward civilizational pluralism allows space for India’s strategic autonomy.
  • Strategic autonomy means the ability to make independent foreign policy decisions.
• India can pursue its independent diplomatic and security choices without ideological pressure.

3. Geopolitical Relief and Diplomatic Irritants

• A potential U.S.–Russia détente offers geopolitical relief for India. Détente refers to the easing of strained relations between major powers.
• This development aligns with India’s longstanding strategic relationship with Russia.
• However, the NSS also includes references to mediating peace between India and Pakistan. Such references are viewed as a diplomatic irritant by India.
• India traditionally opposes third-party mediation in bilateral disputes.