In a historic move to strengthen collective defence, all NATO member states have agreed to raise their defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by the year 2035, according to the joint declaration issued at the NATO Summit held in The Hague.
The pledge includes a commitment to invest at least 3.5% of GDP annually in core defence capabilities, and up to 1.5% of GDP on security-related areas such as the protection of critical infrastructure and enhancement of the defence industrial base.
“A Stronger, Fairer and More Lethal Alliance” – NATO Chief Rutte
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasised the long-term nature of the commitment in his closing remarks:
“No one should doubt our capacity or determination should our security be challenged. This is a stronger, fairer, and more lethal alliance that our leaders have begun to build.”
He reaffirmed NATO’s unified stance, calling out both Russia and terrorism as “profound security challenges.” Rutte also stressed the need for rapid expansion of defence industrial capacity on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Europe and Canada will need to contribute more to the alliance. We must act swiftly and strategically,” he said.
Rutte further noted that military aid to Ukraine this year is likely to exceed last year’s total of $58 billion, indicating NATO’s continued support for Kyiv amid ongoing conflict.
Trump: “Big Win for Europe and Western Civilisation”
US President Donald Trump, attending the summit, welcomed the 5% defence pledge, calling it:
“A big win for Europe and for Western civilisation.”
Trump underscored the importance of investing in military hardware, asserting:
“Additional money should be spent on equipment, capability, and resilience. Our focus must be readiness.”
While reaffirming support for NATO’s collective defence principle, Article Five, Trump addressed recent concerns by stating:
“I stand with Article Five. That’s why I’m here.”
He also revealed he had recently spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to cooperate in ending the war in Ukraine. However, he clarified that no ceasefire was discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during their meeting at the summit.
“It’s possible that Putin has territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine,” Trump warned, pointing to the continued threat posed by Russia in the region.
United Front, But No Formal Condemnation of Russia
In their joint statement, NATO leaders declared their “ironclad commitment” to collective defence, maintaining that an attack on any NATO member would trigger a full alliance response. However, unlike last year’s declaration, the statement did not explicitly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, reflecting subtle shifts in diplomatic positioning.
Still, Russia was singled out as a “long-term threat”, alongside terrorism, in the context of NATO’s evolving security doctrine.
How NATO’s 5% Defence Spending Pledge Impacts India
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) is a military alliance of 32 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey, and others across Europe and North America.
India is not a NATO member, but is affected by global security shifts.
🔹 Impact on India:
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Global Military Buildup: India may need to strengthen its defence posture as NATO countries increase military readiness.
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Defence Modernisation: Pushes India to scale up its Atmanirbhar Bharat defence production efforts.
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Export Opportunities: NATO’s expanded spending opens doors for Indian defence exports and tech partnerships.
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Diplomatic Tightrope: India must balance ties between NATO allies, Russia, and China.
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Indo-Pacific Security: A stronger NATO may complement India’s QUAD efforts to counterbalance China.
The 5% GDP defence pledge marks one of NATO’s most ambitious financial commitments in recent decades, signaling a strategic shift toward greater self-reliance, deterrence, and preparedness amid rising global instability. With growing tensions in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, NATO appears poised to redefine its role in a new era of geopolitical challenges.
