NATO PLUS – INTERNATIONAL
News: India
should refuse America's 'NATO Plus' bait
What's in the news?
● It
was during a virtual press briefing in March 2023 on the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization's (NATO) focus on South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region that the
United States Permanent Representative to NATO, Julianne Smith, was quoted as
saying that "the NATO alliance is open to more engagement, should India
seek that".
NATO and NATO Plus:
NATO:
● NATO
is a transatlantic military alliance of
31 countries, with the majority of members from Europe.
● After
the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, many thought
that NATO would lose its relevance.
● On
the contrary, NATO has not only survived but also expanded, with Finland
joining as its 31st member (April 2023), and Sweden waiting in the wings.
● NATO
appears to be getting the much-needed ground for survival, thanks to Russia's
tirade against it and the invasion of Ukraine.
● With
NATO swelling its expanse, some analysts even see the onset of Cold War 2.0.
NATO Plus:
● "NATO
plus" refers to a security arrangement of NATO and the five treaty allies of the U.S. - Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
Israel, and South Korea as members to enhance "global defence
cooperation" and win the "strategic competition with the Chinese
Communist Party".
Why is the US keen to introduce India to NATO?
1. Counterbalancing China:
● India's
inclusion in NATO would help counterbalance China's influence in the
Indo-Pacific.
2. Strengthening defence ties:
● It
would deepen defence cooperation between the US and India.
3. Enhancing regional stability:
● India's
participation would contribute to regional stability and improve defense
capabilities.
4. Expanding NATO's reach:
● Including
India would expand NATO's global presence and address security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
5. Expanding NATO's reach:
● Including
India would expand NATO's global presence and address security challenges in
the Indo-Pacific.
6. Promoting a rules-based order:
● It
aligns with shared values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of navigation.
Significance for India in joining NATO Plus:
1. Enhanced security cooperation:
● India
would benefit from increased security cooperation and intelligence sharing with
NATO and its five partner countries, namely Australia, New Zealand, Japan,
Israel, and South Korea.
2. Access to advanced military technology:
● India
would gain access to the latest military technologies and equipment through
streamlined transfer processes, allowing for quicker modernization of its defense forces.
3. Strengthened defence partnership:
● Becoming
a member of NATO+5 would further strengthen India's defence partnership with
the United States and other NATO allies, leading to closer collaboration on
various defense initiatives.
4. Improved regional security:
● India's
participation in NATO+5 would contribute to regional security, especially in
the Indo-Pacific region, by fostering cooperation among like-minded countries
to address common security challenges.
5. Enhanced deterrence against adversaries:
● Being
part of this defence framework would enhance India's deterrence capabilities
against potential adversaries, particularly in light of increasing security
threats in the region.
India's Response:
● India's
External Affairs Minister stated that the proposed
template does not apply to India, appreciating the sentiment but clarifying
that it was not suitable for the country.
Reasons for India's Denial:
1. Non-aligned policy:
● India
has traditionally pursued a non-aligned foreign policy, which prioritizes strategic autonomy and avoids formal
military alliances.
2. Regional partnerships:
● India
prefers forging strategic partnerships with countries in the Indo-Pacific
region based on shared interests,
rather than joining broad-based military alliances.
3. Unique security challenges:
● India
faces specific security challenges in its region and tailors its defense
priorities accordingly, making a broad military alliance less suitable for
needs.
4. Diverse foreign policy objectives:
● India
pursues a multi-faceted foreign policy
approach, focusing on a range of objectives beyond security alliances, such
as economic cooperation and climate change.
5. Avoid provoking China:
● India
seeks to manage its relationship with China pragmatically and avoid actions
that could escalate tensions, making joining a US-led military alliance
potentially provocative.
6. Russia factor:
● India
has a robust strategic partnership with Russia, which has been valuable in
dealing with regional security challenges and influencing China's stance.
● Aligning
with NATO could jeopardize this partnership and potentially lead to
geopolitical consequences for India.
India
should refrain from direct military involvement with NATO. But a dialogue
between India and NATO could facilitate productive exchanges as the two share
similar values for a rules-based
international world order.