The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India. What is your opinion about this statement? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (Answer in 250 words)

A stronger transatlantic partnership can create opportunities for India, but its benefits depend on issue-based cooperation and preservation of strategic autonomy.

Benefits

• European strategic coordination and US engagement can support a rules-based Indo-Pacific, maritime security and freedom of navigation.
• Greater Western attention to supply-chain resilience, critical technology, semiconductors and clean energy aligns with India’s economic interests.
• Defence technology, intelligence and counter-terrorism cooperation can improve India’s capabilities.
• Partnerships with France, Germany, the EU and the US diversify India’s options and support connectivity alternatives.

Risks and approach

• Bloc politics may intensify Russia-West confrontation, complicating India’s defence ties and energy security.
• NATO’s European focus may not always match Indian priorities; sanctions and strategic pressure can narrow autonomy.

India should deepen issue-based cooperation, retain multi-alignment, engage Russia and developing countries, and support an inclusive rules-based order rather than a rigid alliance system.

international relations, NATO, India-Europe relations, strategic autonomy