Earlier US President threatened not to protect NATO members if they fail to meet spending targets, raising doubts about his commitment to the alliance's Article 5 mutual defence clause.
The US Secretary of State's statement is in line with Trump's demand that members increase defence spending. He has often complained that US is paying more than its fair share.
SIPRI’s latest data on Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2024, shows China spent $314 bn on its military in 2024, India spent $86.1 bn, while Pakistan spent $10.2 bn.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the plan Tuesday ahead of an emergency European Council meeting on 6 March. It also proposes a €150 bn common defence fund.
Defence spending saw an annual increase of 9 percent between 2013-14 & 2025-26, a PRS analysis, published on 4 Feb, showed. In FY 2025-26, Centre allocated Rs 6,81,210 cr to the MoD.
The biggest increase in defence allocation is in the pension category—it constitutes 23.60 percent of the total allocation and stands at Rs 1,60,795 crore.
While we talk much about our military, we don’t put our national wallet where our mouth is. Nobody is saying we should double our defence spending, but current declining trend must be reversed.
It said that NATO member countries’ spending totaled 55% of world’s expenditure. Top spenders into 2023 were US, China & Russia, said Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
NATO, in a policy document adopted during leaders' summit in Madrid last week, said China's 'coercive policies challenge' interests, security and values of member states.
‘The tirade against capitalism is wholly unfounded. Capitalism as it has shaped during the past quarter of a century is a far better method of developing the economic resources of any country,’ wrote DN Hosali in 1956.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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