Context: 

A leading U.S. official has said the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is “open” to deepening ties with India.

What did the U.S. envoy to NATO say?

• Russia should withdraw from Ukraine and that NATO is watching China-­Russia relations in the backdrop of Russia’s continued military operation in Ukraine. 
• NATO’s door is open to more cooperation if India seeks that. NATO is more than happy to sit down anytime with India.
• Ambassador also confirmed that officials of NATO held “informal” exchanges with Indian counterparts on the sidelines of the recently held Raisina Dialogue in Delhi.

MEA on talks with NATO 

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had last year confirmed that the two sides had maintained contact at various levels for some time. 
• India and NATO have kept in touch in Brussels at different levels for quite some time now. This is part of contacts with various stakeholders on various issues of mutual interest.

About NATO:

• NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is a political and military alliance formed in 1949 to promote security and defense cooperation among North American and European countries. 
• It currently has 30 member countries:
  • Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the United States, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia
• The organization is based on the principle of collective defense, meaning that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members, and each member is committed to the defense of the others. 
• NATO also serves as a forum for political consultation and cooperation among its members, and engages in a range of activities to promote security and stability, including crisis management, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism.

Source: The Hindu