US-led NATO has asked India to shed its non-aligned policy and called for a partnership with it to tackle common security challenges such as terror threats, cyber security and piracy.
"Even with regard to common missile threats, the ability to defend could be the same," a top NATO
official said.
The 28-member NATO has already reached out to New Delhi asking it to co-opt as a "dialogue plus partner".
Stressing that India should shed its non-aligned policy and assume a bigger role as a leader, the NATO official said that even Australia which is far away has a relationship with NATO and is today the 10th largest participant with NATO in Afghanistan.
Making a strong pitch for joint efforts to combat cyber threats, the official said, "cyber world does not recognise alignments. It only understands switches."
Urging India to abandon Cold War mindset, the official pointed out that even Russia is in a special partnership with NATO.
"The NATO-Russia Council determines cooperation on such vital issues as theatre missile defence, military logistics with respect to the US-led campaign in Afghanistan, terrorism, narcotics and piracy."
He hinted at an understanding between India and US on the military intervention in Libya.