India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has made it clear that India has no intention of joining a new “Asian NATO” proposed by Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba. Speaking to a Washington-based think tank, Jaishankar explained that India does not see the need for such a military alliance in Asia. “We don’t have that kind of strategic architecture in mind… We have a different history and different ways of approaching [the issue],” he said.
Shigeru Ishiba, Japan’s Prime Minister, has been pushing for the formation of an alliance similar to NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), a military group of mostly Western nations, to strengthen security in Asia and counter China’s rising influence. Ishiba’s plan also includes sharing US nuclear weapons and changing Japan’s anti-war constitution to allow more military involvement. But this idea hasn’t been popular with everyone—especially in India.
Why India Won’t Join an “Asian NATO”
India’s military experts have raised concerns about Ishiba’s idea. Retired Air Marshal M. Matheswaran, who heads the Chennai-based think tank The Peninsula Foundation, said that India has always avoided joining military alliances. He pointed out that India’s foreign policy, since its independence, has been to remain non-aligned. The only time India signed a treaty with another major power was in 1971, when it partnered with the Soviet Union for security reasons during a time of conflict. Other than that, India prefers to stay independent.
Matheswaran called Ishiba’s proposal “foolhardy” because NATO, according to him, has a negative reputation, especially outside the Western world. Many countries blame NATO for unnecessary military interventions and worsening global security. “India won’t be part of such a system,” Matheswaran confidently stated.
Japan’s Complicated History with the US
Japan, ever since the end of World War II, has been seen as being under the influence of the US. Retired Air Marshal Matheswaran pointed out that Japan hasn’t been fully independent in its decisions since the war. The US has played a big role in shaping Japan’s foreign and defense policies, and many Japanese politicians have been trying to break free from that influence. Ishiba’s proposal to change Japan’s constitution to allow more military actions has faced opposition from many Japanese citizens. It’s seen as going against Japan’s post-war commitment to peace.
Matheswaran also believes that when Japan talks about alliances and security, it’s often echoing the views of the US. In his opinion, the new Prime Minister, Ishiba, seems more aligned with American interests than his predecessor.
The Strategic Downside for India
Another expert, retired Major General Shashi Bhushan Asthana, added that being part of a military alliance could bring disadvantages for India. He pointed to the example of European NATO allies, who were forced to cut energy ties with Russia due to the Ukraine conflict, which led to higher inflation and economic problems in their own countries. India, on the other hand, prefers to maintain its strategic autonomy, meaning it wants the freedom to make its own decisions without being tied to an alliance’s agenda.
India is in a unique position, surrounded by two nuclear-armed neighbors—China and Pakistan—and has border disputes with both. This makes it essential for India to control its own military actions, without outside influence. Joining an alliance like an “Asian NATO” could limit India’s ability to manage its own security situations. “That won’t be the right strategic choice for India,” Asthana explained.
India’s Collaboration with Japan and Other Partners
While India doesn’t want to join a formal alliance, it is still working closely with countries like Japan in other ways. For example, India and Japan are both members of the Quad, an informal security group that also includes the US and Australia. However, the Quad is not a military alliance like NATO—at least not yet. The Quad partners have been conducting joint military exercises, such as the Malabar naval drills, which send a message to China about the growing military coordination in the Indo-Pacific region.
Asthana highlighted that this level of cooperation, without the need to enter into a military alliance, is what suits India’s interests best. India is happy to work with its partners but will not give up its independence by joining an alliance like NATO.
The Bottom Line
India’s position is clear: while it values partnerships and cooperation with countries like Japan, it won’t join a formal military alliance like an “Asian NATO.” India’s history, strategic needs, and its desire for autonomy mean it will continue to steer clear of such power blocs, preferring to control its own destiny in an increasingly complex global landscape.
