Congres follows independent foreign policy : Spokesperson

New Delhi, June 30 (UNI) The Congress today took serious exception to the statement of the CPI(M) charging the government with trying to please the United States, and asserted that the party had a proud legacy of an independent foreign policy.

''An independent foreign policy for India was formulated by the Congress which fought for freedom,'' AICC Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan told mediapersons.

''The criticism is unwarranted...Our legacy speaks for itself...

National interest is the main component of our foreign policy,'' she said.

Asked about the Left threat to withdraw support in the event of the government going ahead with the Indo-US Nuclear deal, Ms Natarajan said, ''We stand committed to the deal. We are also equally committed to convincing our allies and every section of the society.'' Asked if Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would discuss the nuke deal with US President George Bush during their meeting at the G-8 summit in Tokyo early next week, she said ''going to the G-8 meeting had nothing to do with the nuke deal.'' UNI SH PK BD1940