US encouraging partnerships between NATO alliance and friendly nations in Indo-Pacific: White House
NATO alliance and friendly countries across the world, in particular those in the Indo-Pacific region, the White House said on Monday, on the eve of the crucial NATO summit here. Leaders from 38 different countries have gathered in Washington for a historic summit to mark the 75th anniversary of the first NATO summit. This includes the leaders of all NATO allies as well as NATO partners, including Ukraine, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
«The president has also strongly encouraged greater partnerships between the NATO alliance and friendly nations around the world, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, as you will see. The president knows that the global threats and challenges that we all face, including from authoritarian actors and terrorist organisations, are inextricably linked,» John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, told reporters at a news conference here.
«He has also encouraged our NATO allies to join him in making significant investments in our mutual defence and deterrence capabilities. When the Biden-Harris administration took office, only nine NATO allies were spending at least 2 per cent of their gross domestic product on defence — 2 per cent was the Wales pledge,» he said.
Kirby said for 75 years, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has served a vital role in protecting the American people and making the world a less dangerous place.
«NATO is the strongest defensive alliance in history and today, it is bigger, stronger, better resourced and more
