Sweden Joins NATO Officially
Source: CNBC
GS II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Overview
- News in Brief
- About NATO
- India and NATO
- Conclusion
Why in the News?
Sweden Joins NATO officially as its 32nd member on 07-03-2024 almost two years after first applying to the military alliance.
News in Brief
- The Swedish government said in a statement it was holding an extraordinary meeting to vote on joining NATO after all current members had approved its accession to the military alliance.
- Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the whole Alliance more secure.
About Sweden membership
- Not shortly after Russia started its war on Ukraine in May 2022, the nation submitted its first application to join NATO.
- With this, Sweden’s long-standing policy of military non-alignment—which dates back to the Napoleonic Wars—was significantly altered.
- Reason for Joining: In the wake of the war between Ukraine and Russia nations were no longer safe on their own and applied to join the alliance a few months later.
- Reason for Delay: NATO members Hungary and Turkey delayed the process. But voting in favour of it this year.
About NATO
- NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a political and military alliance established on April 4, 1949.
- It was created in response to the security concerns of Western European countries and the United States in the aftermath of World War II and the rise of the Soviet Union.
- The alliance’s primary purpose is to provide collective defence against external threats and to promote stability and security in the North Atlantic area.
Membership
- NATO originally consisted of 12 founding members, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and several other European countries.
- Since its inception, NATO has expanded to include, Sweden Joins NATO Officially as its 32nd member.
- India is not a member.
Article 5
- One of NATO’s core principles is Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members.
- This article serves as the basis for collective defence within the alliance.
Operations
- NATO has conducted various military operations and missions, including peacekeeping, crisis response, and counterterrorism efforts.
- Notable operations include the intervention in Kosovo, the stabilization mission in Afghanistan, and the anti-piracy operation in the Gulf of Aden.
Defence Spending
- NATO members are committed to spending at least 2% of their GDP on defence, although this target has been a source of contention and debate within the alliance.
- As of 2021, only a handful of member countries meet this target.
Major Military Operations
- Bosnia and Herzegovina intervention
- Kosovo intervention
- War in Afghanistan
- Iraq training mission
- Libya intervention
- Syrian Civil War
India and NATO
- India’s relationship with NATO has been historically complex, characterized by a policy of non-alignment during the Cold War era.
- India, as a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, maintained a stance of neutrality between the NATO and Warsaw Pact blocs.
- However, in recent years, India’s engagement with NATO has evolved, reflecting changing global dynamics and India’s expanding strategic interests.
- India is not a member of NATO, but it has engaged with the alliance through various channels, including dialogue, cooperation, and joint exercises.
- While India maintains its non-aligned stance, it recognizes the importance of constructive engagement with NATO on shared security concerns, such as counterterrorism, maritime security, and regional stability.
Key Facts
- Partnership: India and NATO have developed a partnership framework to facilitate dialogue and cooperation on common security challenges. This partnership includes areas such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and defence technology cooperation.
- Joint Exercises: India has participated in joint military exercises with NATO member countries, contributing to enhancing interoperability and cooperation in areas such as maritime security and disaster response.
- Dialogue: High-level exchanges and dialogues between India and NATO have helped foster mutual understanding and cooperation on regional and global security issues. These dialogues provide platforms for discussing shared challenges and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
- Afghanistan: India has supported NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan, including reconstruction and development initiatives. While not directly involved in NATO’s military operations, India has contributed to regional stability through diplomatic and economic assistance to Afghanistan.
Way Forward for India and NATO
- To deepen cooperation, India and NATO should continue to explore opportunities for joint exercises, information sharing, and capacity-building initiatives.
- Enhanced dialogue and collaboration in areas such as cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and defence technology cooperation can contribute to strengthening regional and global security.
- Both parties should also work towards building trust and understanding to overcome historical differences and promote greater strategic convergence in addressing shared security concerns.
Conclusion
NATO remains a cornerstone of transatlantic security and defence cooperation, providing a framework for member countries to address common security challenges. Despite evolving geopolitical dynamics and internal disagreements, the alliance continues to adapt to new threats and maintain its relevance in an ever-changing world.
- To ensure NATO’s continued effectiveness, member countries should reaffirm their commitment to collective defence, address emerging security threats such as cyberattacks and hybrid warfare, and strengthen cooperation with partners outside the alliance.
- Additionally, efforts to improve burden-sharing and defence capabilities should be pursued to enhance NATO’s ability to respond to present and future challenges.
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