Why US Is Keen On Making India Part of NATO Plus Bloc

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled US visit next month, US House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has proposed that India should become a member of NATO Plus.

The high-level panel stated that India's inclusion as the sixth member in NATO Plus would help counter Chinese aggression and boost international security. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Plus is a security arrangement that brings together NATO countries and five aligned nations -- Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea.

The main reason behind the US being so interested in inclusion of India in the bloc is attributed to ensure seamless intelligence sharing between the group countries and New Delhi would get easy access to the cutting-edge military technology without any delay. India is already an important member of the Quad group, which includes Japan, Australia and the United States.

In a meeting last week, the US committee overwhelmingly adopted a policy proposal to enhance Taiwan's deterrence. The proposals include strengthening NATO Plus by roping in India as a member of the bloc. The panel is led by chairman Mike Gallagher and ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi.

The committee holds that imposing economic sanctions on China in the event that it plans to attack Taiwan is the most effective way for key allies such as the G7, NATO NATO+5, and Quad members to participate and negotiate a joint response. Broadcasting this message publicly has the added benefit of bolstering deterrence, it added.

"Much as we do joint contingency planning for warfighting, we need to coordinate with US allies in peacetime," it stated. To achieve this, the Committee recommended that Congress approve legislation akin to the STAND with Taiwan Act of 2023, which requires the crafting of an economic sanctions package to be used in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

"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," the panel recommended.