INDIA PERSPECTIVE

The Times of India covers the NATO crisis with a double article — one on the US withdrawal threat, another on Britain's response — and the Starmer angle dominates. New Delhi reads the crisis through the Hormuz prism, given India depends on the strait for 60% of its oil imports. The 35-nation summit Starmer announced to reopen the strait directly concerns India.

The Times of India reports a detail absent from most other outlets: reports of a possible 'pay-to-play' NATO model tied to defense spending, and a potential drawdown of US troops from Germany. For India — not a NATO member but cooperating closely with the US via the Quad — this is an alarm bell. If Washington reduces its European commitment, will it concentrate more resources in the Indo-Pacific, or retreat altogether?

The Polish defense minister is quoted: 'There is no NATO without the United States, and it is in our interest that calm comes. But there is also no American power without NATO.' This phrase, picked up by the Times of India, resonates with India's 'multi-alignment' strategy: New Delhi watches both camps tear at each other and refines its position as a non-aligned power trading with everyone.