NATO to ramp up engagement in Indo-Pacific as US seeks collective power projection

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has signaled that the military alliance is set to increase its involvement in the Indo-Pacific, as the U.S. steps up its security engagement in the region.

In an exclusive interview with The Japan Times, Rutte outlined NATO's role in supporting Washington's efforts to "project collective power" into the strategically vital region, per Caliber.Az.

Rutte emphasized that while NATO does not intend to extend its Article 5 mutual security commitment to Asia, the alliance is keen on enhancing its influence and cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations. He highlighted the growing interconnectedness of global threats and the need for NATO to assist the U.S. in strengthening regional stability.

"The U.S. wants NATO to be more involved in the region, in a sense of projecting power," Rutte told The Japan Times. "There is general agreement within NATO that the alliance should become more engaged in the Indo-Pacific." He added that NATO's involvement would leverage the combined strength of its 32 members, significantly amplifying the alliance's global impact.

With the U.S. accounting for about half of NATO allies' combined GDP, Rutte emphasized the importance of working collaboratively with the remaining 31 members to maximize the alliance's influence on the world stage, including in the Indo-Pacific.

Rutte’s comments come ahead of his planned trip to Japan this week, marking his first visit to the region since taking office as NATO Secretary-General in October 2024. The trip underscores the alliance's commitment to strengthening its ties with key Indo-Pacific partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Several NATO members have already been expanding security cooperation with Indo-Pacific nations in response to rising concerns about regional instability. These include fears that a crisis similar to the war in Ukraine could erupt in Asia, whether over issues in the South China Sea or in relation to the status of Taiwan.

The European Union, with most of its members also part of NATO, has similarly engaged in the region, signing a security and defense partnership with Japan and South Korea in 2024.

During his visit, Rutte plans to focus on enhancing NATO's ties with its Indo-Pacific partners, particularly through increased defense-industrial cooperation and information sharing. "When we look at the Indo-Pacific, we look at the region through the lens of the four partners," Rutte said, stressing the importance of jointly addressing mutual concerns, including North Korean support for Russia and China's growing defense investments.

By Khagan Isayev