Is India looking towards NATO or staying away from it?

NATO’s door is open for more engagement with India, said US permanent representative to the North Atlantic military alliance, Julianne Smith. However later ruled out an invite to India, saying the alliance would first like to know country’s interest in engaging the alliance ‘more broadly’. NATO has been working closely with countries like New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel and Australia. It is a Euro-Atlantic military alliance that engages into strategic conversations and actions. In a statement given by Indian administration last year said, it had been in touch with NATO as a part of its initiative to understand other countries stand on global issues of mutual interests.
Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO mentioned that he sees ‘potential’ in India to be a part of this alliance. According to WION’s report, Stoltenberg said ‘We see value in strengthening our ties, our relationship with other democratic nations, India’s the biggest democracy in the world. Nations that share values.’ India is been in talks with NATO from last few years, but nothing came formally yet. China’s aggressive actions in Indo-Pacific have concerned NATO and alliance is considering this matter as a threat to their security. Such issues are convincing NATO to do more together with India.
Mr. Vipin Shekhawat is defense expert who had served in Indian Army and is now retired. While speaking to EAT news about NATO and India’s possibility in becoming a part of the alliance, he calls it a difficult choice for the country. ‘NATO is a Euro-Atlantic alliance, so there is no chance of expanding it by giving memberships to Asian countries. But since US is monitoring and keeping an eye on China and Russia, they will try to unite other countries to stand against them not officially but diplomatically. Present instance of Russia-Ukraine war, where NATO spoke aggressively and briefly about the war and support to Ukraine but all they provided was military assistance with no manpower, which was urgently needed’, he said. Furthermore, ‘I am not talking about starting a war, but countries have to consider this alliance as per the kind of support and decisions they receive or gets involved into’, he added.
Recently, India and US had signed a partnership of Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies in early 2023 which is about cooperation in defense industry by introducing new technology and expanding partnership between administrations, academic institutions and businesses. Mr. Shekhawat takes this in account as a significant reason for India to not dominantly think about NATO membership. He said, ‘iCET is signed between both the countries that have huge and much needed impact on defense industry of India. No doubt, we had structured and organized security cooperation but after signing this, it will become easier to achieve the envisioned results. Meanwhile we are witnessing number of visits Indian Prime Minister is making to US for various deals and agreements and if to believe on Indian media houses that are reporting constantly, it is about America’s GE (General Electric) to co-produce jet engines in India for combat aircrafts. A lot has already been tied up between both the countries without NATO recognition’.
Few experts are also calling China, as a significant reason for India to not step in NATO. India is against all kind of military action against any country and if border dispute with China as a situation counts, then definitely China can be a reason, Mr. Shekhawat believes. He told EAT news, ‘Primarily it is not because of China, but the situation. India does not want to get into a war or any sort of military encounter with any country. Even Pakistan. Accepting the membership or showing interest in NATO alliance would backfire India, specifically in China situation as both the countries are stuck in Indo-Pacific issue too. India always represented peace and diplomatic approach in resolving global matters rather than lifting weapons and will stand by it.’
India has its reasons why it could stay away from NATO alliance, but why US wants India to be in NATO alliance? Mr. Shekhawat says, India is world’s fastest growing economy, most populous nation, largest democratic country in the world and with world’s second largest military, US would want it to become partners in this alliance alongside other countries. ‘China and Russia are the two most powerful countries with all advanced resources. And US would require India’s support from South Asian region to counter China and its hideous activities. It is US’s way to form an army against them. And India won’t be a part of it’, he said.
India’s representatives and NATO officials had informal exchange earlier this year on the margins of Raisina Dialogue. Julianne Smith spoke about India and said, ‘NATO is more than happy to engage in other ways and other forms as the opportunities present themselves. I think certainly there’s a willingness here to sit down at any time should India desire to do so’.