Score:
7/15
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GS2
International Relations
15 marks
“The evolution of the U.S. National Security Strategy reflects a shift from partnership-based global leadership to conditional burden-sharing.” In this context, examine the implications of the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy for India’s strategic autonomy and its role in the Indo-Pacific.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Examine the shift from partnership-based leadership to conditional burden-sharing in US NSS 2025
- Analyze implications for India's strategic autonomy
- Assess impact on India's role in the Indo-Pacific
- Connect how burden-sharing affects India's regional positioning
What you wrote:
The 2025 US National Security Strategy reflects a transition from partnership based global leadership to “Make America Great Again” agenda at heart of US global strategy. For India, this shift reshapes expectations from a strategic partner while testing its commitment to strategic autonomy and defining its regional role.
The 2025 US National Security Strategy reflects a transition from partnership based global leadership to “Make America Great Again” agenda at heart of US global strategy. For India, this shift reshapes expectations from a strategic partner while testing its commitment to strategic autonomy and defining its regional role.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could begin with specific reference to the 2025 NSS's emphasis on "competitive cooperation" and how it differs from previous strategies
- Can define conditional burden-sharing as expecting allies to contribute more to regional security while US provides selective support
- Could mention the Indo-Pacific as a priority theater where this shift is most evident
What you wrote:
(i) Security and Defence Cooperation
→ The NSS positions India as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region expecting greater responsibility in maritime security, sea lane protection and deterrence against coercive behaviour.
→ India’s naval deployments, information sharing under COMCASA, and logistic support via LEMOA strengthen interoperability without alliance obligation.
→ However, burden sharing increases operational expectations without formal U.S. security guarantees.
(i) Security and Defence Cooperation
→ The NSS positions India as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region expecting greater responsibility in maritime security, sea lane protection and deterrence against coercive behaviour.
→ India’s naval deployments, information sharing under COMCASA, and logistic support via LEMOA strengthen interoperability without alliance obligation.
→ However, burden sharing increases operational expectations without formal U.S. security guarantees.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could elaborate on burden-sharing through initiatives like Quad's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" where India is expected to lead maritime domain awareness
- Can mention India's role in countering China's Belt and Road Initiative through infrastructure partnerships as part of burden-sharing
- Could highlight US expectation for India to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP as part of burden-sharing model
What you wrote:
(ii) Economic and Technological Recalibration
→ The NSS links Indo Pacific security with resilient supply chains, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy.
→ India is projected as a trusted economic and manufacturing partner under China plus one strategy, reinforcing economic autonomy.
→ Yet, US, technology controls limit India’s independent strategic choice.
(ii) Economic and Technological Recalibration
→ The NSS links Indo Pacific security with resilient supply chains, semiconductors, critical minerals and clean energy.
→ India is projected as a trusted economic and manufacturing partner under China plus one strategy, reinforcing economic autonomy.
→ Yet, US, technology controls limit India’s independent strategic choice.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could discuss India's participation in Critical Minerals Partnership and CHIPS Act collaboration as examples of conditional economic cooperation
- Can mention US expectations for India to reduce dependency on Russian energy as burden-sharing in economic realm
- Could highlight India's balancing act through initiatives like India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to maintain autonomy
What you wrote:
(iii) Geopolitical and Diplomatic Balancing
→ India’s participation in Quad, IPEF and minilateral grouping reflects convergence rather than alignment.
→ India continues balancing relations with Russia and the global south, preserving diplomatic flexibility amid US expectations.
→ India’s G20 leadership and global south outreach enhance its credibility as a non bloc power.
India’s Role in Indo-Pacific and Other Dimensions
(i) India as net security provider in Indo Pacific
India acts as a first responder and capacity builder through HADR missions, maritime patrols and training of littoral states.
Initiatives like SAGAR and IPOI promote cooperative maritime security rather than bloc politics.
(ii) India as Norm-shaper and Institutional leader
India champions an inclusive Indo-Pacific anchored in ASEAN centrality, opposing exclusive alliance framework.
It supports a rule based order while resisting militarisation and zero sum rivalry.
(iii) Preserving Strategic Autonomy under Burden sharing Pressure
The NSS’s burden sharing model aligns with India’s Non-Alignment 2.0. enabling selective cooperation without treaty commitment.
India retains freedom of action in security, diplomacy and economic policy.
[DRAWING: A central oval contains the word "Challenges". Two arrows point towards it from the left, labelled "Trade protectionism risk" and "Reduce Multilateral commitment". Two arrows point away from it to the right, labelled "SMuTH Immigration Policies" and "strategic vacuums & non-interventionism".]
(iii) Geopolitical and Diplomatic Balancing
→ India’s participation in Quad, IPEF and minilateral grouping reflects convergence rather than alignment.
→ India continues balancing relations with Russia and the global south, preserving diplomatic flexibility amid US expectations.
→ India’s G20 leadership and global south outreach enhance its credibility as a non bloc power.
India’s Role in Indo-Pacific and Other Dimensions
(i) India as net security provider in Indo Pacific
India acts as a first responder and capacity builder through HADR missions, maritime patrols and training of littoral states.
Initiatives like SAGAR and IPOI promote cooperative maritime security rather than bloc politics.
(ii) India as Norm-shaper and Institutional leader
India champions an inclusive Indo-Pacific anchored in ASEAN centrality, opposing exclusive alliance framework.
It supports a rule based order while resisting militarisation and zero sum rivalry.
(iii) Preserving Strategic Autonomy under Burden sharing Pressure
The NSS’s burden sharing model aligns with India’s Non-Alignment 2.0. enabling selective cooperation without treaty commitment.
India retains freedom of action in security, diplomacy and economic policy.
[DRAWING: A central oval contains the word "Challenges". Two arrows point towards it from the left, labelled "Trade protectionism risk" and "Reduce Multilateral commitment". Two arrows point away from it to the right, labelled "SMuTH Immigration Policies" and "strategic vacuums & non-interventionism".]
Suggestions to improve:
- Could analyze the map's challenges more deeply, explaining how trade protectionism affects India's export-oriented manufacturing strategy
- Can discuss India's response to US expectations through initiatives like Quad Plus partnerships with countries like South Korea and Vietnam
- Could mention India's leadership in International Solar Alliance as maintaining autonomy while contributing to burden-sharing
What you wrote:
The 2025 US NSS elevates India as a critical Indo-Pacific actor while narrowing strategic ambiguity. India's challenge lies in leveraging enhanced responsibility to strengthen regional stability and national capability, without compromising strategic autonomy or becoming subsumed within alliance driven geopolitics.
The 2025 US NSS elevates India as a critical Indo-Pacific actor while narrowing strategic ambiguity. India's challenge lies in leveraging enhanced responsibility to strengthen regional stability and national capability, without compromising strategic autonomy or becoming subsumed within alliance driven geopolitics.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could conclude by emphasizing India's "multi-alignment" strategy as a response to conditional burden-sharing (e.g., balancing Quad commitments with SCO participation)
- Can mention India's vision of "Vishwa Bandhu" (friend to the world) as guiding principle for navigating US expectations while maintaining autonomy
The answer demonstrates good understanding of India-US dynamics and strategic autonomy concepts. However, it misses the specific connection between conditional burden-sharing and India's evolving role, requiring more concrete examples and deeper analysis of the strategic shift's implications.
Demand of the Question
- Examine the shift from partnership-based leadership to conditional burden-sharing in US NSS 2025
- Analyze implications for India's strategic autonomy
- Assess impact on India's role in the Indo-Pacific
- Connect how burden-sharing affects India's regional positioning
What you wrote:
The 2025 US National Security Strategy reflects a transition from partnership based global leadership to “Make America Great Again” agenda at heart of US global strategy. For India, this shift reshapes expectations from a strategic partner while testing its commitment to strategic autonomy and defining its regional role.
The 2025 US National Security Strategy reflects a transition from partnership based global leadership to “Make America Great Again” agenda at heart of US global strategy. For India, this shift reshapes expectations from a strategic partner while testing its commitment to strategic autonomy and defining its regional role.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could begin with specific reference to the 2025 NSS's emphasis on "competitive cooperation" and how it differs from previous strategies
- Can define conditional burden-sharing as expecting allies to contribute more to regional security while US provides selective support
- Could mention the Indo-Pacific as a priority theater where this shift is most evident
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