United States former president Donald Trump faced a lot of criticism from top Western officials and the White House after he said that he would not defend the NATO allies who have not been able to spend enough on defence and would also encourage Russia to attack them.

Trump is running for another presidential term in the White House against President Joe Biden in November.

<h2>What is NATO?&nbsp;</h2>

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which was founded in 1946 to counter the Soviet Union amid increasing Cold War tensions, is a political and military alliance of nations from Europe and North America.&nbsp;

The group's founding treaty, which has been enshrined in Article 5, is the principle of collective defence and propagates the idea that if one of its members is attacked, it will be considered an attack on the entire group.&nbsp;

All the decisions within NATO are taken after countries reach a consensus and the United States' political and military strength means that it is by far the alliance's most powerful country and its nuclear arsenal is perceived as the ultimate security guarantee.

<h2>Which countries are part of NATO?&nbsp;</h2>

Currently, NATO has 31 members, most of whom are European countries. The United States and Canada are also part of the NATO.

Finland is the newest member of NATO which joined the organisation last April after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Sweden has also applied for membership but it awaits ratification of its application.&nbsp;

<h2>What accusations did Trump levy on NATO?&nbsp;</h2>

Donald Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-21, often lambasted NATO and its members like Germany, while accusing them of failing to pay enough for their own defence and depending on the US for their protection.&nbsp;

He has also questioned the collective defence principle openly. Meanwhile, the Europeans have also been accused by other US administrators of failing to spend enough on defence.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-once-ordered-the-us-to-withdraw-from-nato-if-re-elected-he-may-execute-it-report-689716">&nbsp;Trump once ordered the US to withdraw from NATO, if re-elected he may execute it: Report</a>

Taking his criticism to the next level during a campaign rally on Saturday (Feb 11) in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recounted what he said regarding a conversation with the "president of a big country".

"Well sir, if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia - will you protect us?" Trump quoted the unnamed leader as speaking.

"I said: 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said: 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No, I would not protect you. I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay," he said.

<h2>How does NATO receive its funding?&nbsp;</h2>

The NATO members have often been accused by Trump of not paying their dues which gave the impression of the alliance being similar to a club which has membership fees.

However, NATO operates differently. The organisation has some common funds to which all members contribute.&nbsp;

The organisation's vast bulk of strength comes from the national defence spending of the members. The national defence spending of member countries is used in maintaining forces and buying arms which can also be used by NATO.

The NATO members have committed to spend at least 2 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the defence sector every year. However, most of them failed to meet that goal even in 2023.&nbsp;

<h2>How many NATO members reach the defence spending target?</h2>

As per the estimates by NATO in July last year, 11 members were most likely to meet the 2 per cent target in 2023. These members include&nbsp;Poland, the United States, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Britain and Slovakia.

Europe's economic heavyweight - Germany - was most likely to spend 1.57 per cent on defence. However, the German officials claimed that they were hoping to meet the 2 per cent target, especially due to a special 1-billion-euro fund which was established in response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

According to NATO figures, the countries which contributed the lowest shares of their GDP on defence were Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on Wednesday (Feb 14) said, "I expect 18 allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defence this year."&nbsp;

<h2>What is NATO's Article 5?</h2>

In the founding treaty's Article 5, NATO members announced that an armed attack against one or more of them either in North America or Europe "shall be considered an attack against them all".

The nations agreed that they would "assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force".

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump defiant after backlash over NATO remarks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-defiant-after-backlash-over-nato-remarks-689709/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Article 5, however, falls short of a commitment to an automatic military response for helping an ally under attack.&nbsp;

The comments made by Trump caused a furore because the statements were made at a time when there was heightened alarm in NATO regarding Russia's intentions after its invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

By stating that he would not take any military action to defend an ally, Trump undermined the claims in Article 5.&nbsp;

"Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, on Sunday (Feb 11).&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

United States former president Donald Trump faced a lot of criticism from top Western officials and the White House after he said that he would not defend the NATO allies who have not been able to spend enough on defence and would also encourage Russia to attack them.

United States former president Donald Trump faced a lot of criticism from top Western officials and the White House after he said that he would not defend the NATO allies who have not been able to spend enough on defence and would also encourage Russia to attack them. Trump is running for another presidential term in the White House against President Joe Biden in November. What is NATO? The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which was founded in 1946 to counter the Soviet Union amid increasing Cold War tensions, is a political and military alliance of nations from Europe and North America. The group's founding treaty, which has been enshrined in Article 5, is the principle of collective defence and propagates the idea that if one of its members is attacked, it will be considered an attack on the entire group. All the decisions within NATO are taken after countries reach a consensus and the United States' political and military strength means that it is by far the alliance's most powerful country and its nuclear arsenal is perceived as the ultimate security guarantee. Which countries are part of NATO? Currently, NATO has 31 members, most of whom are European countries. The United States and Canada are also part of the NATO. Finland is the newest member of NATO which joined the organisation last April after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Sweden has also applied for membership but it awaits ratification of its application. What accusations did Trump levy on NATO? Donald Trump, who served as the US president from 2017-21, often lambasted NATO and its members like Germany, while accusing them of failing to pay enough for their own defence and depending on the US for their protection. He has also questioned the collective defence principle openly. Meanwhile, the Europeans have also been accused by other US administrators of failing to spend enough on defence. Also Read: Trump once ordered the US to withdraw from NATO, if re-elected he may execute it: Report Taking his criticism to the next level during a campaign rally on Saturday (Feb 11) in Conway, South Carolina, Trump recounted what he said regarding a conversation with the "president of a big country". "Well sir, if we don't pay, and we're attacked by Russia - will you protect us?" Trump quoted the unnamed leader as speaking. "I said: 'You didn't pay? You're delinquent?' He said: 'Yes, let's say that happened.' No, I would not protect you. I would encourage them (Russia) to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay," he said. How does NATO receive its funding? The NATO members have often been accused by Trump of not paying their dues which gave the impression of the alliance being similar to a club which has membership fees. However, NATO operates differently. The organisation has some common funds to which all members contribute. The organisation's vast bulk of strength comes from the national defence spending of the members. The national defence spending of member countries is used in maintaining forces and buying arms which can also be used by NATO. The NATO members have committed to spend at least 2 per cent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on the defence sector every year. However, most of them failed to meet that goal even in 2023. How many NATO members reach the defence spending target? As per the estimates by NATO in July last year, 11 members were most likely to meet the 2 per cent target in 2023. These members include Poland, the United States, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, Britain and Slovakia. Europe's economic heavyweight - Germany - was most likely to spend 1.57 per cent on defence. However, the German officials claimed that they were hoping to meet the 2 per cent target, especially due to a special 1-billion-euro fund which was established in response to Russia's war in Ukraine. According to NATO figures, the countries which contributed the lowest shares of their GDP on defence were Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on Wednesday (Feb 14) said, "I expect 18 allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defence this year." What is NATO's Article 5? In the founding treaty's Article 5, NATO members announced that an armed attack against one or more of them either in North America or Europe "shall be considered an attack against them all". The nations agreed that they would "assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force". Watch: Donald Trump defiant after backlash over NATO remarks Article 5, however, falls short of a commitment to an automatic military response for helping an ally under attack. The comments made by Trump caused a furore because the statements were made at a time when there was heightened alarm in NATO regarding Russia's intentions after its invasion of Ukraine. By stating that he would not take any military action to defend an ally, Trump undermined the claims in Article 5. "Any suggestion that allies will not defend each other undermines all of our security, including that of the U.S., and puts American and European soldiers at increased risk," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, on Sunday (Feb 11). (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | What did Trump allege about NATO spending and how the international organisation is funded?

India has kept Rs 2031.93 Cr for international organizations under the budget for the financial year 2021-22&nbsp;announced on Monday. The United Nations organization will get Rs 400 cr under the budget provision of the Ministry of External Affairs. &nbsp;

The BIMSTEC secretariat got Rs 25 cr, while SAARC secretariat got Rs 12 cr. Interestingly, in last year's budget, BIMSTEC got Rs 20 cr, but it is the revised budget only Rs 9.28 cr was used. As for SAARC, it got Rs 8 cr, but revised budget stood at Rs 12 cr, showing an increase. &nbsp;

New Delhi plays an important role in both the groupings, but has seen an increased focus on BIMSTEC. &nbsp;Last year, at the oath-taking ceremony of the Indian PM Modi for the 2nd term, all BIMSTEC leaders were invited. SAARC, due to Pakistan's obstructionism has seen little activity. &nbsp;&nbsp;

To UNICEF, which comes under the domain of ministry of women and child development, India has budgeted Rs 5.60 Cr, while to WTO, which comes under the commerce ministry, Rs 3cr is kept as a contribution. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, commonwealth secretariat got Rs 11.22 cr and the Commonwealth Foundation, which is its sister organisation got Rs 1.40 cr. Nalanda international university got Rs 250 cr, while South Asian university gets Rs 314 cr. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Total money allocated for Indian embassies and missions stands at Rs 3240.07 Cr. India has more than 190 missions and posts around the world, in every part of the world. ICCR or Indian council of cultural relations, whose main function is to showcase and expand India's culture abroad got Rs 300 Cr. &nbsp;

Rs 150 cr has been kept for the maintenance of the aircraft of Air India for VVIP travel, like high-level visits of President, Vice President and Prime Minister. While no travel has happened for over a year due to COVID Pandemic, Indian Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Dhaka in March for the 50th Independence year celebration of the country. The last visit of Indian PM Modi was to Brazil for BRICS meet in November of 2019. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Other than that, Rs 2cr has been kept in the MEA budget for "demarcation of boundaries", Rs 3000.01 cr for "Special diplomatic expenditure" and Rs 1 cr for "Expenditure relating to pilgrimage abroad". Membership contribution to FATF is at Rs 1cr.&nbsp;

India has kept Rs 2031.93 Cr for international organizations under the budget for the financial year 2021-22 announced on Monday. The United Nations organization will get Rs 400 cr under the budget provision of the Ministry of External Affairs.

India has kept Rs 2031.93 Cr for international organizations under the budget for the financial year 2021-22 announced on Monday. The United Nations organization will get Rs 400 cr under the budget provision of the Ministry of External Affairs. The BIMSTEC secretariat got Rs 25 cr, while SAARC secretariat got Rs 12 cr. Interestingly, in last year's budget, BIMSTEC got Rs 20 cr, but it is the revised budget only Rs 9.28 cr was used. As for SAARC, it got Rs 8 cr, but revised budget stood at Rs 12 cr, showing an increase. New Delhi plays an important role in both the groupings, but has seen an increased focus on BIMSTEC. Last year, at the oath-taking ceremony of the Indian PM Modi for the 2nd term, all BIMSTEC leaders were invited. SAARC, due to Pakistan's obstructionism has seen little activity. To UNICEF, which comes under the domain of ministry of women and child development, India has budgeted Rs 5.60 Cr, while to WTO, which comes under the commerce ministry, Rs 3cr is kept as a contribution. Meanwhile, commonwealth secretariat got Rs 11.22 cr and the Commonwealth Foundation, which is its sister organisation got Rs 1.40 cr. Nalanda international university got Rs 250 cr, while South Asian university gets Rs 314 cr. Total money allocated for Indian embassies and missions stands at Rs 3240.07 Cr. India has more than 190 missions and posts around the world, in every part of the world. ICCR or Indian council of cultural relations, whose main function is to showcase and expand India's culture abroad got Rs 300 Cr. Rs 150 cr has been kept for the maintenance of the aircraft of Air India for VVIP travel, like high-level visits of President, Vice President and Prime Minister. While no travel has happened for over a year due to COVID Pandemic, Indian Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit Dhaka in March for the 50th Independence year celebration of the country. The last visit of Indian PM Modi was to Brazil for BRICS meet in November of 2019. Other than that, Rs 2cr has been kept in the MEA budget for "demarcation of boundaries", Rs 3000.01 cr for "Special diplomatic expenditure" and Rs 1 cr for "Expenditure relating to pilgrimage abroad". Membership contribution to FATF is at Rs 1cr.

Budget 2021: India keeps over Rs 2000 cr for international organisations; BIMSTEC get Rs 25 cr, SAARC Rs 12 cr 

India today joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member and said its entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms. 
 
Marking India&#39;s first entry into a multilateral export-control regime, foreign secretary S Jaishankar signed the instrument of accession to the MTCR in the presence of France&#39;s Ambassador-designate Alexandre Ziegler, The Netherlands&#39; Ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga and Luxembourg&#39;s Charge d&#39;Affaires Laure Huberty. 
 
&quot;India has joined the MTCR this morning... India&#39;s entry into the regime as its thirty-fifth member would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives,&quot; the foreign ministry said in a statement. 
 
&quot;India would like to thank each of the thirty-four MTCR Partners for their support for India&#39;s membership. We would also like to thank Ambassador Pieter de Klerk of The Netherlands and Mr Robert Steinmetz of Luxembourg, co-Chairs of the MTCR,&quot; the statement said. 
 
The MTCR Point of Contact in Paris has conveyed the decision regarding India&#39;s accession to the regime through the French Embassy in New Delhi as well as the Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg, it said. 
 
India&#39;s entry into MTCR comes days after it failed to get NSG membership due to stiff opposition from China and a few other countries. 
 
Significantly, China, which stonewalled India&#39;s entry into the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the just-concluded Seoul plenary, is not a member of MTCR. 
 
Since its civil nuclear deal with the US, India has been trying to get into export control regimes like NSG, MTCR, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement that regulate the conventional, nuclear, biological and chemicals weapons and technologies. 
 
MTCR membership will now enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia. 
 
The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogramme payload for at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). 
 
(PTI) 
&nbsp;

New Delhi gains entry days after China and other countries stonewalled its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group

India today joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a full member and said its entry would be mutually beneficial to enhance global non-proliferation norms. Marking India's first entry into a multilateral export-control regime, foreign secretary S Jaishankar signed the instrument of accession to the MTCR in the presence of France's Ambassador-designate Alexandre Ziegler, The Netherlands' Ambassador Alphonsus Stoelinga and Luxembourg's Charge d'Affaires Laure Huberty. "India has joined the MTCR this morning... India's entry into the regime as its thirty-fifth member would be mutually beneficial in the furtherance of international non-proliferation objectives," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "India would like to thank each of the thirty-four MTCR Partners for their support for India's membership. We would also like to thank Ambassador Pieter de Klerk of The Netherlands and Mr Robert Steinmetz of Luxembourg, co-Chairs of the MTCR," the statement said. The MTCR Point of Contact in Paris has conveyed the decision regarding India's accession to the regime through the French Embassy in New Delhi as well as the Embassies of The Netherlands and Luxembourg, it said. India's entry into MTCR comes days after it failed to get NSG membership due to stiff opposition from China and a few other countries. Significantly, China, which stonewalled India's entry into the 48-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the just-concluded Seoul plenary, is not a member of MTCR. Since its civil nuclear deal with the US, India has been trying to get into export control regimes like NSG, MTCR, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Arrangement that regulate the conventional, nuclear, biological and chemicals weapons and technologies. MTCR membership will now enable India to buy high-end missile technology and also enhance its joint ventures with Russia. The aim of the MTCR is to restrict the proliferation of missiles, complete rocket systems, unmanned air vehicles and related technology for those systems capable of carrying a 500 kilogramme payload for at least 300 kilometres, as well as systems intended for the delivery of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). (PTI)

India joins Missile Technology Control Regime as full member

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