US Congressional Panel Suggests Making India Part Of NATO Plus: SSB Interview Topic

Zaheer Hussain
May 29, 2023
580

A powerful Congressional Committee has suggested enhancing NATO Plus by integrating India, which is a significant development ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. In order to strengthen international defence cooperation, NATO Plus, or NATO Plus 5, a security arrangement, brings together NATO and five allies: Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and South Korea. Joining forces with India will enable smooth intelligence exchange between both nations and provide India with quick access to the newest military technology.

Why In The News?

Ahead Of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit To The US Next Month, A Congressional Committee Has Recommended The Addition Of India To The List Of Five Non-European Nations That Comprise “NATO Plus”.

What Is NATO Plus?

NATO Plus, Currently NATO Plus 5, Is A Security Arrangement That Brings Together NATO (31 Member Countries) And Five Aligned Nations – Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, And South Korea – To Boost Global Defence Cooperation.
India Doesn’t Have A Defence Treaty With The US, But The Latter Has Granted It The Unique Status Of A “Major Defence Partner” With Strategic Trade Authorization 1 (STA-1) Category Facilitating License Exemption For Importing Sensitive Technology. NATO Plus Countries Enjoy Better Access To America’s Vaunted Defence Industry And Technology.

Rationale Behind Such Recommendation?

The House Select Committee, Also Called The China Committee, Has Reasoned That “Winning The Strategic Competition With The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) And Ensuring The Security Of Taiwan Demands The US Strengthen Ties To Our Allies And Security Partners, Including India.
Including India In NATO Plus, Security Arrangements Would Build Upon The US And India’s Close Partnership To Strengthen Global Security And Deter The Aggression Of The CCP Across The Indo-Pacific Region.”
Bringing India On Board Will Facilitate Seamless Intelligence Sharing Among These Countries And India Would Access The Latest Military Technology Without A Time Lag, Argued The House Select Committee Chaired By Mike Gallagher And Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi.

US Congressional Panel Suggests Making India Part Of NATO Plus SSB Interview Topic

Any Other Recommendations?

The Other Recommendations Of The Select Committee Include:
- Basing More Longer-Range Missiles And Unmanned Vehicles In The Indo-Pacific
- The US Should Strengthen Collective Planning (NATO+ For India Is A Part Of This Category)
- Improving Combined Training Of US And Taiwanese Militaries
- Supplying Key Military Systems To Taiwan
- Preparing Key US Infrastructure From Chinese Cyberattacks
- Prepare Taiwan For Similar Contingencies
- Develop Plans For US Forces To Operate In An Integrated Manner With Taiwan
- Strengthen US Bases In The Indo-Pacific
- Plan For A Situation In Which It Would Be Difficult To Resupply Taiwan During A Crisis
Further, The China Committee Said That Economic Sanctions Against China In Case Of An Attack On Taiwan Will Be Most Effective If Key Allies Such As G7, NATO, NATO 5, And Quad Members Join, Negotiate A Joint Response, And Broadcast This Message Publicly To Benefit Of Enhancing Deterrence.

Way Ahead:

Indian American Ramesh Kapoor, Who Has Been Working On This Proposal For The Past Six Years, Said This Is A Significant Development. He Hoped That The Recommendation Would Find A Place In The National Defense Authorization Act 2024 And Finally End Up Becoming A Law Of The Land.

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