Prelims: International Relations (Important organizations, conferences), Munich Security Conference, NATO
Mains: General Studies-II Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Why in the News ?
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi have met briefly in Germany on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, their first meeting in more than six months.
Source: TH
Key Facts 🗝️
- Venue: It has been held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, since 1963.
- HQ of NATO – Brussels, Belgium.
- It was established by the North Atlantic Treaty (also called the Washington Treaty) on April 4, 1949.
About:
- Munich Security Conference (MSC)
- It is the world’s leading forum for debating international security policy.
- Objective: To build trust and contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts by sustaining a continuous, curated, and informal dialogue within the international security community.
- Venue: It has been held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, since 1963.
- It is a venue for diplomatic initiatives to address the world’s most pressing security concerns.
- It brings together security experts, and politicians, military leaders, and the defense industry from around the world.
- MSC regularly convenes high-profile events on particular topics and regions and publishes the Munich Security Report, an annual digest of relevant figures, maps, and research on crucial security challenges.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- It is a transatlantic security alliance of 31 like-minded North American and European countries.
- Aim: To protect peace and to guarantee the territorial integrity, political independence, and security of the member states.
- Article Five of the treaty: If an armed attack occurs against one of the member states, it should be considered an attack against all members, and other members shall assist the attacked member, with armed forces if necessary.
- This article forms the core of the Alliance, a promise of collective defense.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Mains: PYQ/FAQ
Q. How has NATO evolved over time to adapt to new security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and what is the significance of NATO in the context of China’s growing military and economic power?
