India was recently granted a NATO ally-like status. In this regard, co...
Overview:
India was recently granted a NATO ally-like status, which has significant implications for Indo-US defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The status also has similarities with Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA) partnerships, but there are some differences as well. Let's analyze the given statements to understand the correct answer.
Statement 1: The status would result in increased Indo-US defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
The first statement is correct. With the grant of NATO ally-like status, India's defense cooperation with the United States in the Indian Ocean is expected to increase. This is because NATO allies share a strong partnership and collaborate on various defense and security issues. The status will likely lead to enhanced military exchanges, joint exercises, technology transfers, intelligence-sharing, and capacity-building initiatives between India and the United States. This cooperation is particularly important in the Indian Ocean region, where both countries have shared interests in maintaining maritime security and countering common threats such as piracy, terrorism, and illegal trafficking.
Statement 2: Major non-NATO allies (MNNA) are only involved in strategic working partnerships with NATO countries.
The second statement is incorrect. Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA) partnerships are not limited to strategic working partnerships with NATO countries only. MNNA status is granted by the United States to certain non-NATO countries that have a close and strategic partnership with the US in the field of defense. This status provides certain benefits, such as eligibility for priority delivery of defense equipment, access to advanced military technology, and closer cooperation in training and exercises. However, MNNA countries are not limited to partnerships with NATO countries alone. They can have defense cooperation and partnerships with other countries as well.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the correct answer is option 'C' - Both 1 and 2. The grant of NATO ally-like status to India will indeed result in increased Indo-US defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean. However, the Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA) partnerships are not exclusive to NATO countries, and MNNA countries can have defense cooperation with non-NATO countries as well.
India was recently granted a NATO ally-like status. In this regard, co...
Both statements are correct
Supplementary notes:
NATO ally-like Status for India
- The U.S. senate passed a legislative provision (National Defense Authorization Act) that brings India at par with America’s NATO allies like Japan, South Korea, and Australia etc. for increasing defense cooperation.
- The act provides for increased IndoU.S. defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean in areas of humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, counterpiracy, maritime security and advanced technology transfer.
- Unlike the member nations of NATO, who have to contribute from their gross national income to fund the NATO, major Non-NATO allies (MNNA) are only involved in Strategic working partnerships with NATO Countries. India will be under no obligation to support any of the policy endeavors of NATO.
- The move will enable India to access lot of military and financial advantages which are otherwise not available to non-NATO members.
- Pakistan is one of the major Non-NATO allies (MNNA) of US. But in 2017, a bill was introduced in the US Congress seeking withdrawal of the status from Pakistan. Now, a new legislation has been introduced in the Congress to terminate the status of Pakistan.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- It is an intergovernmental military and political alliance based on North Atlantic Treaty (also known as Washington Treaty) signed in 4 April 1949. It is also known as North Atlantic Alliance.
- It consists of 28 independent member countries across North America and Europe.
- It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium and Headquarters of its Allied Command Operations in Mons, Belgium.
- It constitutes a system of collective defense by which its independent member states agrees for mutual defense in response to any attack on any member by any external party.
- NATO is committed to peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis management operations.
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