Drawing from flaws exposed by NATO's mission in Afghanistan, where it is struggling to hold off a Taliban and Al-Qaeda insurgency, Rasmussen said that the alliance should become the hub of a broader security coalition.

"We cannot meet today's security requirements effectively without engaging much more actively and systematically with other important players on the international scene," he said at a major security conference in Germany.

"The alliance should become the hub of a network of security partnerships and a centre for consultation on international security issues -- even issues on which the alliance might never take action," he went on.

"What would be the harm if countries such as China, India, Pakistan and others were to develop closer ties with NATO? I think, in fact, there would only be a benefit, in terms of trust, confidence and cooperation."

Rasmussen underlined that he did not seek to replace the work of the United Nations.

He said he saw a forum in which NATO and its partners worldwide could air views and concerns, and exchange best practice.

"And where, if it makes sense -- if we decide that NATO should have a role -- we might work out how to tackle global challenges together."

NATO has 28 member nations, but its partnership involves 44 countries in Afghanistan, as well as ties with other regional fora, such as the group of Mediterranean nations.

Rasmussen noted that NATO had only been able to tackle the insurgency and reconstruction in Afghanistan with outside help, and that China, India and Russia had interests there which they could do more to protect.

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