No discussion on globalisation, reforms with Hu- Left

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) Rubbishing as" mischievous" the media reports that Chinese President Hu Jintao advised the Indian Left to adopt a ''more pragmatic'' approach towards globalisation, the Communist parties today asserted that there was no such talk during their meeting with the visiting dignitary.

In a sharp reaction to the media reports to this effect, the Communist leaders who had about half an hour meeting with Mr Hu yesterday morning said this was not correct.

The reports have said Mr Hu advised the Indian Communists to be pragmatic in an era of globalisation that provided immense scope for economic prosperity. The reports said Left leaders Prakash Karat and A B Bardhan also showed their interest in knowing about the Chinese reforms and their application in increasing agricultural production.

''This is not correct.. He did not utter a single word on globalisation and he did not give any advice in this regard,'' CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan said.

Mr Bardhan, also a veteran freedom fighter, said the whole conversation evolved round joint cooperation between the two countries and relationship between the Communist Party of China and the Indian Left.

Denying the reports, CPI(M) Floor leader in the Lok Sabha Basudeb Acharia quipped, ''why Mr Hu should advise us... His is a different party... Ours is different?'' Mr Acharia said the report was ''misleading'' and was ''cooked up'' for a specific purpose.

Another CPI senior leader and Lok Sabha member Sudhakar Reddy, who was also in the Left delegation, said Mr Hu impressed upon them that both the countries were making advances in economy and that it was also necessary to improve the living standards of the people.

Mr Reddy, who is CPI National Council Secretary, said the Left leaders asked Mr Hu about China's tremendous achievement in the agricultural field and whether Indian experts could visit China to make a deep study there. ''This is a good idea,'' the CPI leader quoted Mr Hu as having said.

The meeting also focussed on ways and means to further strengthen commercial, cultural and economic relations between the two countries, the CPI leaders said.

''We disapprove of the way our meeting with the Chinese President has been distorted.'' Mr Reddy added.

While exhorting the media to discharge their professional duty with greater care and responsibility, CPI national Secretary Shamim Faizi said this kind of distortion was against the journalistic ethics.

Mr Faizi, who is also the editor of the party mounthpiece 'New Age' said the report of the meeting was ''twisted''.

''Rather Mr Hu appreciated the Left's crucial role on the national political scene,'' Mr Faizi said adding that he also opined that it could also play a significant role in strengthening bilateral ties.

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