People's Democracy

Resist US Pressures

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on March 22

THE report that the US Energy Secretary during his visit to Delhi has conveyed to the Indian government the opposition of the United States to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is disturbing. The gas pipeline project from Iran is of vital interest to India and its energy security. The well-known opposition of the US is motivated by its partisan interests and its targeting of Iran.

The UPA government must proceed with the gas pipeline project and ensure the completion of the negotiations with Pakistan on the transit fee and other charges.

The United States is also exercising pressure on India to buy F16 fighter planes. The United States is seeking to utilise its military cooperation agreement and “strategic partnership” to demand that India buy US fighter planes for “inter-operability” and facilitation of joint exercises. The Polit Bureau is of the firm opinion that India should resist such pressures. The purchase of fighter planes should not be swayed by the strategic and commercial interests of the United States in selling weaponary to India.