US to deepen security relationship with India: Pentagon

Washington: The Pentagon said today it would "deepen" its security relationship with India, noting that the US global network of allies and partners is a unique strength that provides the foundation for international security and stability.

In its 'National Military Strategy' for 2015, the Pentagon said countries like Russia, China and North Korea pose

security threats to the US and its allies.

Reiterating that the US "will press forward with the rebalance" to the Asia-Pacific region, the 24-page report

said it 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.

Such efforts are essential to maintaining regional peace and building capabilities to provide for missile defence, cyber security, maritime security, and disaster relief," it said.

The Pentagon said it supports China's rise and encourages it to become a partner for greater international security. "However, 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," it said.

"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," the report said.

While Russia has contributed in select security areas, such as counter-narcotics and counter-terrorism, it also has repeatedly demonstrated that it does not respect the sovereignty of its neighbours and it is willing to use force to achieve its goals, the report said.

"Russia's military actions are undermining regional security directly and through proxy forces. These actions

violate numerous agreements that Russia has signed in which it committed to act in accordance with international norms," it said.

The Pentagon said Iran also poses 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," it said, adding that North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technologies also contradicts repeated demands by the international community to cease such efforts.

"None of these nations are believed to be seeking direct military conflict with the United States or our allies.

Nonetheless, they each pose serious security concerns which the international community is working to collectively address by way of common policies, shared messages, and coordinated action," the Pentagon said.