"India's fundamental policy, from independence till date, is not to be part of any security alliance framework," Matheswaran said. "India will not join any power bloc as an ally. The only exception was in 1971, when India signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation with Moscow in view of the threat to our security."
"Many governments, overtly or covertly, hold NATO responsible for military interventions and wars and worsening the security milieu. In any case, India won't be part of such a system."
"When the US wants to put out its views on security and alliances, it is seen as voicing these views through allies like Japan and Australia. The new Prime Minister [Shigeru Ishiba] seems to be more aligned with the American objectives than his predecessor," the expert remarked.
"The disadvantages of being part of an alliance framework have become quite visible in recent years," Asthana said. "If one considers the Ukraine conflict, European NATO allies have had to put their national interests on the back burner and toe the American line."
"India is surrounded by two nuclear armed neighbours and has border disputes with both of them," Asthana pointed out. "Under these circumstances, India would like to control its own escalation dynamics. If you are part of an alliance, your escalation dynamics would be controlled by your allies as well. That won't be the right strategic choice for India."
"This level of coordination, without being part of a US-alliance framework, suits India's strategic interests. But we won't enter into an alliance," Asthana said.