The article begins with a focus on recent developments involving India and the global military alliance NATO, known as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The interaction marks India’s initial political dialogue with the organisation based in Brussels.
Introduction to NATO
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a coalition of military forces established in response to potential threats from the erstwhile Soviet Union. It was created by the North Atlantic Treaty, also called the Washington Treaty, signed in April 1949 by the United States, Canada, and various Western European nations.
Originally comprised of 12 countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the group has since expanded to include 30 member states. Additional countries include Greece and Turkey (1952), West Germany (1955, from 1990 as Germany), Spain (1982), and other Eastern European countries in the years following. Despite withdrawing from NATO’s integrated military command in 1966, France remained a part of the organization, resuming its position in the military command in 2009. Recently, Finland and Sweden have expressed interest in joining the alliance. The headquarters of NATO are located in Brussels, Belgium.
The NATO-India Political Dialogue
On December 12, 2019, India held its first ever political dialogue with NATO. This dialogue carries significant weight for both parties. Historically, NATO has engaged China and Pakistan in bilateral talks. For India, initiating a political discussion with NATO creates an opportunity to recalibrate NATO’s understanding of situations and issues that impact India. Both India and NATO share similar views on several geopolitical matters such as China, terrorism, and the Afghanistan situation, including Pakistan’s role in it.
There is, however, divergence in perspectives on certain issues. NATO perceives Russia, rather than China, as the biggest threat to European security due to Russia’s aggressive actions. NATO has also faced difficulties in convening meetings of the NATO-Russia Council due to Russia’s refusal to address issues such as Ukraine and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Regarding China, NATO’s view is layered; while recognising China’s rise as both a challenge and an opportunity. In Afghanistan, NATO perceives the Taliban as a political entity more than a militant organization.
NATO’s Perspective on Dialogue with India
Engaging in dialogue with India aligns with NATO’s objectives of enhancing cooperation among its member countries. India’s geo-strategic location offers a unique perspective for NATO and could contribute significantly to international security, not just in India’s region but beyond as well. This dialogue is seen as a significant step towards strengthening ties between NATO and India.
