To provide India ‘NATO plus five’ defence status, the US Senate is attempting to draught legislation.
S. Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs for India, has previously declared that his nation is exempt from the framework’s application.
NATO plus five
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and five nations—Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea—make up NATO Plus.
This group’s main goal is to improve international defence cooperation.
India would gain several benefits by joining NATO Plus, including streamlined intelligence sharing among members, immediate access to cutting-edge military technologies, and a strengthened defence alliance with the United States.
Advantages of India Joining
Increased intelligence sharing and security cooperation with NATO and its partner nations would be advantageous for India. Improved situational awareness, counterterrorism initiatives, and a greater comprehension of regional security dynamics might result from this.
Through expedited transfer procedures, India would have access to the newest military technologies and equipment through membership in NATO + 5. As a result, India’s defence forces might be modernised more quickly, improving their capabilities and readiness.
India’s defence cooperation with the United States and other NATO members would increase if it joined NATO + 5. This would make it easier to work together more closely on different defence projects, joint military drills, and training initiatives, fostering interoperability and boosting defence capabilities.
Regional security would be improved as a result of India’s membership in NATO + 5, especially in the Indo-Pacific area. It would aid in addressing shared security concerns like marine security, freedom of navigation, and balancing regional threats by increasing cooperation between like-minded nations.
India’s deterrent capabilities against potential enemies would be strengthened by membership in NATO + 5. This is especially important in light of the region’s growing security challenges, which include territorial disputes, terrorism, and the spread of WMDs. A stronger deterrent against prospective aggression would be provided by NATO + 5’s commitment to collective defence.
Possible Reasons for India’s Denial
India has always adhered to a non-alignment policy, supporting the preservation of independence and neutrality in international dealings. This stance would be considerably altered by India joining NATO, which might also reduce its decision-making latitude in international affairs.
India participates in several regional security organisations, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). India’s security issues within the South Asian and larger Eurasian setting are addressed through these regional agreements.
India deals with a variety of threats to its security, including terrorism, border disputes, and regional conflicts. These problems call for specialised solutions and an all-encompassing approach that might not be in line with NATO’s aims.
India maintains alliances with several nations outside of NATO, notably Russia, a long-time defence supplier. Joining NATO might make these connections more difficult and reduce India’s ability to create alliances and partnerships.
