Scotland would have to apply for membership of nuclear defence alliance Nato after a vote for independence, the organisation has said.

Nato said the position is clear despite having had no discussions on the possibility of a Yes vote in September 2014.

"It appears widely agreed that, as a matter of law, a Scotland which has declared its independence and thereby established its separate statehood would be viewed as a new state," Nato said.

"In the Nato context, the definitive determination on this question would be made by the member states, acting in the North Atlantic Council.

"A new state would not be a party to the North Atlantic Treaty, and thus not a member of Nato.

"If it were to choose to apply for Nato membership, its application would be subject to the normal procedure, as outlined in Article 10 of the Treaty."

The SNP changed its policy last year to accept Nato membership despite deep-rooted opposition to nuclear weapons and a commitment to remove the Trident nuclear deterrent from Scotland.

Mr Salmond, speaking to an American audience yesterday, repeated his ambition for Scotland to remain in Nato as well as other organisations such as the European Union.

He expects negotiations to be made in the gap between a Yes vote and full statehood, meaning Scotland would still be part of the larger member state during talks.

"It could be argued that membership of Partnership for Peace would enable us to fullfil many of our defence requirements as does Ireland and Finland,'' the First Minister said in a speech to public policy organisation the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.

"But we understand why, in the international community, countries such as Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and indeed the USA, would prefer it if we signalled our intention to be part of the Nato alliance as an independent country.

"Such a step would demonstrate clearly our commitment to working closely with those friends and allies.

"We should acknowledge that Nato is a cornerstone of defence policy for these nations and therefore membership is a responsible decision for Scotland to seek."

Mr Salmond went on to say that continued hosting of nuclear weapons in Scotland would be "absurd''.

Responding to the Nato comment, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen, former secretary general of Nato and chairman of the North Atlantic Council, said: "Acceptance of the nuclear role in Nato is a fundamental part of Nato's strategy and no country can be a member of Nato without accepting that responsibility.

"Either the SNP accept the central nuclear role of Nato and show that they will shed any principle to buy votes for separatism, or they reject the nuclear role of Nato and ensure that a separate Scottish state stays out of the world's most successful defence alliance."

Labour MP Jim Murphy, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said: "The SNP's defence policy is now in a total mess. This is yet another fact that the SNP wanted to keep Scotland in the dark about."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: "The SNP's chaotic approach to Nato, and the wider issue of defence, is simply to stick its fingers in its ears and hope the assertions repeatedly made will eventually come true."