A number one U.S. official has stated the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is “open” to deepening ties with India. Speaking at a digital press briefing on Friday, Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. envoy to NATO, stated Russia ought to withdraw from Ukraine and that NATO is watching China-Russia relation within the backdrop of Russia’s continued navy operation in Ukraine.
“NATO’s door is open to more cooperation if India seeks that. NATO is more than happy to sit down anytime with India,“ said Ambassador Smith confirming that officials of NATO held “informal” exchanges with Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the just lately held Raisina Dialogue in Delhi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had final 12 months confirmed that the 2 sides had maintained contact at varied ranges for a while. “India and NATO have kept in touch in Brussels at different levels for quite some time now. This is part of our contacts with various stakeholders on various issues of mutual interest,” stated MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi final August in response to a query throughout a weekly briefing.
On the evolving relationship between Russia and China, Ambassador Smith famous that the U.S. is maintaining a detailed watch on the connection between the 2 Eurasian neighbours and warned China towards getting drawn into Russian warfare efforts towards Ukraine. Ms. Smith introduced {that a} NATO Ministerial will likely be held on April 4-5 however she additionally confirmed that NATO hasn’t invited India for the assembly.
The U.S. official nevertheless knowledgeable that the Ministerial will see participation from Japan and Australia, two members of the ‘Quad’ that additionally consists of India and the US. She defined participation of Australia and Japan within the Ministerial is due to NATO having a “more advanced relationship” with Tokyo and Canberra.
Ambassador Smith stated NATO is open to exchanging concepts with companions within the Indo-Pacific area. “We expect Indo-Pacific partners to share their experiences with NATO,” she stated.
