Asia in NATO – France Objects as Japan and India Dither

As the US plans for India to be a part of NATO Plus as India is the third largest military in the world, President Emmanuel Macron of France objects to Asia from joining NATO. French President Emmanuel Macron has asseverated his deep concerns about Asia joining NATO, which has also hampered India’s position in joining NATO Plus.

Macron’s disagreement with NATO’s Tokyo office is because he believes that the transatlantic security alliance should remain fixated on its own North Atlantic region and NATO should not diversify its reach beyond North Atlantic as this might lead to a huge mistake.

Similarly, in another series of events Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated “NATO should only exist in the West, involving Asia might bring serious concerns for ASEAN.”

Japan and China React to Macron’s Objection

Japan refrained from responding to the objection made by President Macron and let the concerned authorities undertake the consideration. Further, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had already announced last month to not join NATO, although he was already aware of the opening of the liaison office in Tokyo.

In reaction to Macron’s statement, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had given sore comments, where he openly claims that by “extending NATO’s influence on Asia-Pacific, the outlook of the majority of the region is clear, they oppose it, they don’t welcome NATO, they also don’t want a mirror image of bloc confrontation in Asia.” In addition to this, at the 20^th Shangri-La Dialogue, the Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu also apprised that attempts to push NATO in the Asia-Pacific are a way of abducting regional countries and amplifying conflicts and confrontations.

India’s inclusion in NATO Plus!

Further, the US was keen on making India a part of NATO Plus, as over the past few years NATO has expressed China’s rising aggression in the Indo-Pacific region. The reason behind the US wanting India to be a part of NATO Plus is that it wants India to be allied with Western military powers.

India’s inclusion in NATO Plus is being advised to counter China and ameliorate the deterrence of Taiwan.

India’s position in NATO Plus is in a state of flux. If India happens to join NATO Plus, it might lead to a breaking of its ties with Russia, as the alliance is backing Ukraine in the current war with Russia. India’s inclusion in NATO Plus will cause animosity with Russia which is what the US is trying to accomplish.

_{(Harshita is pursuing a post-graduation in International Relations. She has an undergraduate degree in Global Affairs with a specialization in social sciences and humanities. She is a certified French speaker. Opinions expressed are the author’s own.)}

References :

1. _{Harsh Pardeshi, “USA bids for the NATO seat of India while France opposes Asian members” (The Tatva)}
2. _{Macron’s concerns over NATO’s Tokyo office plan ‘speaks for more members’ as they oppose alliance outreaching Asia (Global Times)}
3. _{Shivan Chanana, “India, a NATO state? Whose gain, whose loss?” (WION)}
4. _{Vikrant Singh, “France gives thumbs down to NATO’s plans of opening liaison office in Japan” (WION)}
5. _{Big Mistake’: France refuses to approve NATO’s Asia office plans amid Ukraine war (Hindustan Times)}

Harshita Sabharwal