CPI-M wants to undo India-US military alliance
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SPECIALCORRESPONDENT
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) is committed to opposing the India-US military alliance and the civil nuclear deal, party general secretary Prakash Karat said today while criticising the central government that his party supports from outside. The CPI-M chief's inaugural address at the party's 19th congress was marked by a strong reminder of the Left's role in Indian politics, as he asked around 700 delegates assembled at Anil Biswas Nagar in the city to "disentangle India from the strategic embrace of the US".
"Our task is not over. We have to undo the military collaboration agreement. We have to continue the struggle to disentangle India from the strategic embrace of the US. This is important not only for India but for the whole of South Asia," Karat said, asking "the progressive forces in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka to join the fight against imperialism." At the same time, Karat expressed happiness that India was improving its relationship with China and was doing more business with Vietnam. Making strong attack on the economic and foreign policies of the ruling Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Karat said, "For our leaders in government who talked of releasing the animal spirits and argue now for full capital account convertibility, we hope the current crisis will provide some sobering lessons." Taking "legitimate credit" for bringing foreign policy and strategic matters to the centre-stage of Indian politics, Karat said there had been a "wholesale shift" in the foreign policy and strategic perspective since the India-US joint statement in July 2005. Reiterating the Left's opposition to the contentious India-US civil nuclear agreement, Karat said, "The CPI-M and the Left have already declared that the nuclear deal cannot go forward. The majority in parliament is against it. Karat also spoke about India's need for a 'third alternative' that is "irrevocably anti-communal in character" and the need for the party to expand its support base. The five-day party congress, which is also attended by 70 foreign and fraternal organisation representatives, will deliberate on the political-organisation draft report and elect a new central committee. (IANS)
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