Monroe Doctrines in Asia?
By James R. Holmes
The Monroe Doctrine is a fixture in strategic discourses in Asia today. As noted at the outset, Indians explicitly invoke the doctrine as one source of inspiration for their foreign policy and maritime strategy. Fifty years ago, Nehru modelled his `broad doctrine' on its US precedent. Indeed, Nehru honed the doctrine to a keener edge than did Monroe and Adams, declaring that `any attempt by a foreign power to interfere in any way with India is a thing which India cannot tolerate, and which, subject to her strength, she will oppose' (my emphasis). Commentator C. Raja Mohan reports that the Monroe Doctrine has become `an article of faith' within the Indian strategic community. In policy terms, this means building a `blue-water navy' capable of high-seas combat. According to Mohan, it also means discouraging fellow South Asian governments from `granting military bases and facilities to great powers.'
James R. Holmes is a defence analyst for The Diplomat and an associate professor of strategy at the US Naval War College where he specializes in US, Chinese and Indian maritime strategy and US diplomatic and military history. He is co-author of Red Star over the Pacific, an Atlantic Monthly Best Foreign Affairs Book for 2010 and a former US Navy surface warfare officer.
Full Article –
http://deshcalling.blogspot.com/2011/06/monroe-doctrines-in-asia.html
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