America
In new strategy, US to deepen security ties with India
Washington, July 2
The US will deepen its
security relations with India, said chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Martin Dempsey while releasing the country's National Military
Strategy for 2015.
The strategy provides the blueprint for how
the military will use its forces to protect and advance US national and
security interests.
The presence of US military forces in key
locations around the world underpins the international order and
provides opportunities to engage with other countries while positioning
forces to respond to crises, Dempsey said in a Defense Department
statement issued on Wednesday.
“Therefore, we will press forward
with the rebalance to the Asia Pacific region, placing our most advanced
capabilities and greater capacity in that vital theatre,†it noted.
For this, the US will strengthen its alliances with Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand.
“We
also will deepen our security relationship with India and build upon
our partnerships with New Zealand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Vietnam, and Bangladesh,†Dempsey added.
Such efforts are
essential to maintaining regional peace and building capabilities to
provide for missile defense, cyber security, maritime security, and
disaster relief.
“This strategy addresses these dynamics and our
strategy to ensure that our force remains the best-led, trained and
equipped military on the planet," Dempsey said.
"Globalisation,
diffusion of technology, and demographic shifts are driving rapid change
as state actors and trans-regional networks challenge order and
stability," said the general.
While praising Russia for its
contributions in select security areas, such as counternarcotics and
counterterrorism, the strategy document added that the country has
repeatedly demonstrated that “it does not respect the sovereignty of its
neighbours and it is willing to use force to achieve its goalsâ€.
“Russia’s military actions are undermining regional security directly and through proxy forces,†the report noted.
While
supporting China’s rise and encouraging the country to "become a
partner for greater international security," the report took exception
of China's action in South China Sea, saying it added tension in the
region.
"China’s actions are adding tension to the Asia-Pacific
region. For example, its claims to nearly the entire South China Sea are
inconsistent with international law," the report added.
"The
international community continues to call on China to settle such issues
cooperatively and without coercion. China has responded with aggressive
land reclamation efforts that will allow it to position military forces
astride vital international sea lanes," Dempsey said in the statement.
On
North Korea, the general said: "North Korea’s pursuit of nuclear
weapons and ballistic missile technologies also contradicts repeated
demands by the international community to cease such efforts."
"These
capabilities directly threaten its neighbours, especially the Republic
of Korea (South Korea) and Japan. In time, they will threaten the US
homeland as well. North Korea also has conducted cyber attacks,
including causing major damage to a US corporation."
On Iran, he said the Middle East country also posed strategic challenges to the international community.
“It
is pursuing nuclear and missile delivery technologies despite repeated
United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding that it cease such
efforts.â€
On Afghanistan, Dempsey said the US and NATO partners
were teaming with the National Unity Government to provide security by
way of the Resolute Support mission, working toward establishing a
long-term counterterrorism partnership.
The National Military
Strategy follows the release of the 2015 National Security Strategy in
February this year, as well as the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review.