NATO Plus Five
According to recent reports, the U.S. Senate's India Caucus Co-Chairs plan to introduce legislation that would grant India 'NATO plus five' defense status.
- The 'NATO plus five' arrangement includes the U.S., its NATO allies, and five partner countries i.e., Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and Israel.
- Its purpose is to strengthen defense cooperation and facilitate the transfer of defense equipment with minimal bureaucratic obstacles.
- The proposed legislation aims to extend this arrangement to India, with the goal of enhancing India-U.S. defense ties.
- However, India's External Affairs Minister has rejected the 'NATO plus five' framework, stating that it does not apply to India.