CPI(M) criticises India's joint naval exercise

New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) The polit bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has expressed serious concern about the proposed joint naval exercise comprising India, the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal in September.

This is a step towards India being drawn into the already existing trilateral military cooperation between the United States, Japan and Australia, the party in a statement issued here today said.

In the recent period, preparations have been going on for a quadrilateral framework for security cooperation involving India, the United States, Japan and Australia.

In the wake of the recent visit of the US Nimitz to Chennai, the announcement of the joint naval exercise is part of the implementation of the 'New framework for Defence Relationship' signed by the UPA Government in July 2005. Japan and Australia are close military allies of the United States, India is now moving to join their ranks.

This is a serious development. The UPA Government has been forging a close strategic military cooperation with the United States without any public debate or explanation. The CPI(M) considers these steps as harmful to India's strategic interests. The left parties have time and again warned against such military cooperation with the United States. The polit bureau calls upon all patriotic sections to come out in opposition against this growing military tie up with the united States, the statement added.

UNI