India does not share Japanese PM’s view of ‘Asian NATO’, says Jaishankar

1. Context and Background:

 Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to the United States, clarified India’s position on the concept of an ‘Asian NATO’, an idea expressed by the newly appointed Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Ishiba suggested that the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and other alliances involving Japan could evolve into a NATO-like alliance in Asia, intended to counter China’s military influence in the region.

2. India’s Rejection of ‘Asian NATO’ Concept:

 India, as articulated by Jaishankar, does not share the Japanese vision of the Quad becoming an Asian equivalent of NATO. Jaishankar emphasized that India has a different strategic and historical outlook, contrasting it with Japan’s treaty-bound relationship with the United States. Japan's post-World War II military strategy has been largely shaped by its security pact with the U.S., which aligns it more closely with Western military structures, including NATO.

Jaishankar pointed out that India, on the other hand, has never been a treaty-bound ally of any country and does not intend to join such military alliances. India’s strategic culture is shaped by its unique history of non-alignment and emphasis on strategic autonomy, which discourages entanglement in military alliances like NATO.

3. India's Policy of Multi-Alignment:

 Jaishankar also highlighted that India's foreign policy today is characterized by multi-alignment, a shift from its earlier doctrine of non-alignment. Non-alignment was the guiding principle of India’s foreign policy during the Cold War, where India chose not to align with either the U.S.-led Western bloc or the Soviet bloc.

In contrast, multi-alignment reflects India’s willingness to engage with multiple global powers and take pragmatic stances on various international issues without being bound by rigid ideological camps. Jaishankar noted that this allows India to make choices and forge partnerships such as the Quad, which involves India, the U.S., Australia, and Japan. This would not have been possible during the non-alignment era due to India's reluctance to align on specific issues with other powers.

4. Strategic Autonomy and Risk-Taking:

Jaishankar’s remarks also indicate India’s evolving approach towards international security challenges. Unlike the non-aligned era, where India maintained a defensive posture, the era of multi-alignment allows India to take more proactive and capability-driven measures. An example cited was India's involvement in securing maritime lanes against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, showcasing its willingness to participate in international security efforts where its interests are at stake.

India is also more open to taking calculated risks in the current global landscape, reflecting its growing confidence as an emerging global power. This shift underscores India's desire for certain outcomes that align with its national interests, such as securing trade routes or enhancing regional stability.

5. Strategic Implications:

India’s rejection of the ‘Asian NATO’ concept underscores its commitment to strategic autonomy. While India is keen on building partnerships like the Quad, it does not want to be part of a formal military alliance that could limit its foreign policy flexibility. The focus of India’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific is primarily on ensuring regional stability and security, without taking an explicitly antagonistic stance against any one country, particularly China.

6. Conclusion:

India’s stance on the ‘Asian NATO’ concept reflects its long-standing policy of maintaining strategic independence. By rejecting any formal military alliance in Asia, India ensures it retains the flexibility to engage with multiple global powers, pursue its national interests, and take a leadership role in shaping regional security without being drawn into a confrontational bloc. The shift from non-alignment to multi-alignment also illustrates India’s growing readiness to engage globally in a more assertive, issue-based manner, reflecting its status as a rising power in a multipolar world.

Mains Question & Answer

Question:

"India has rejected the idea of an ‘Asian NATO’ while simultaneously participating in groupings like the Quad. Discuss how India’s policy of multi-alignment reflects its strategic autonomy and differs from the earlier non-alignment policy. Also, explain the implications of this shift in the context of India’s foreign policy." (250 words)

Answer:

Introduction: India has consistently pursued a policy of strategic autonomy, ensuring that it does not become entangled in formal military alliances. This was evident when External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar rejected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s idea of an ‘Asian NATO’ involving the Quad to counter China. India’s refusal to join such an alliance reflects its multi-alignment strategy, which differs significantly from its traditional non-alignment policy.

• India’s foreign policy has historically been guided by non-alignment, where it remained neutral during the Cold War, avoiding military blocs like NATO or the Warsaw Pact.
• Jaishankar’s statement emphasized that India, unlike Japan, does not have a treaty-based alliance with any country and prefers to maintain independence in decision-making.
India’s rejection of the ‘Asian NATO’ underscores its refusal to engage in formal military alliances, which could restrict its foreign policy flexibility.

• Non-Alignment Era: India maintained a cautious stance, avoiding issue-based alignments with other countries. During this period, it focused on preserving sovereignty and minimizing risk.
• Multi-Alignment Era: Today, India is willing to forge partnerships like the Quad (India, U.S., Japan, and Australia) to enhance regional security. This reflects a more pragmatic approach, where India engages on specific issues while ensuring its autonomy.
India now actively participates in global efforts such as maritime security, as seen in its involvement in the Red Sea, something unlikely during the non-aligned period.

• Enhanced Global Role: Multi-alignment allows India to play a more assertive role in global affairs while avoiding entanglement in any exclusive military bloc.
• Regional Stability: India's participation in groupings like the Quad focuses on regional security in the Indo-Pacific but does not antagonize any particular nation, including China.
• Strategic Flexibility: India can build issue-based alliances without being bound by ideological constraints, giving it the flexibility to respond to a changing global order.

Conclusion: India’s shift from non-alignment to multi-alignment is a strategic evolution aimed at balancing global engagements with its core principle of autonomy. By rejecting the idea of an ‘Asian NATO,’ India continues to assert its independence while enhancing its role in regional and global security through selective partnerships like the Quad. This approach reflects a more proactive and risk-tolerant foreign policy suited to the dynamics of a multipolar world.

MCQs

1. Consider the following statements regarding India's approach to international alliances:

1.     India has historically been part of formal military alliances such as NATO.

2.     India’s current foreign policy favors strategic autonomy and avoids binding military alliances.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B. Only 2
Explanation: India has never been part of formal military alliances like NATO. Its foreign policy emphasizes strategic autonomy, avoiding binding military pacts.

2. Which of the following statements best describes India’s policy of multi-alignment?

1.     It involves India aligning exclusively with the United States and its allies.

2.     It allows India to engage with multiple global powers based on national interests without being restricted by ideological alignments.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B. Only 2
Explanation: India’s multi-alignment policy emphasizes flexibility in engaging with various global powers on issues of common interest, unlike non-alignment, which avoided alignment with any specific power bloc.

3. With reference to India’s foreign policy, consider the following statements:

1.     India’s participation in the Quad is an example of its multi-alignment strategy.

2.     India supports the creation of an ‘Asian NATO’ to counter China’s military influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. Only 1
Explanation: India’s participation in the Quad is part of its multi-alignment strategy. However, India has rejected the idea of an ‘Asian NATO’ and does not favor formal military alliances.

4. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)?

1.     The Quad is a grouping involving India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia.

2.     The Quad aims to establish a formal military alliance similar to NATO.

Choose the correct option: A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. Only 1
Explanation: While the Quad involves India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, it is not intended to establish a formal military alliance like NATO. It focuses on cooperation for regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

5. Consider the following statements regarding India’s stance on military alliances:

1.     India’s non-alignment policy during the Cold War period meant avoiding participation in military blocs.

2.     India’s multi-alignment policy involves forming treaty-bound alliances with major powers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A. Only 1
B. Only 2
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A. Only 1
Explanation: During the Cold War, India followed a non-alignment policy to avoid military blocs. However, under the multi-alignment policy, India remains autonomous and does not form treaty-bound alliances with any major powers.