CPI(M) opposed Indo-US naval exercise on West Coast

New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the proposed Indo-US joint military exercise near the coast of Malabar sea.

The party in a press statement issued here today said CPI(M) is strongly opposed to the American nuclear weapon ships joining the exercise on the west coast. The USS Ronald Regan, which leads the US naval contingent, is a nuclear weapon-equipped aircraft carrier.

''The Manmohan Singh Government should not allow any American nuclear equipment ship into our ports or territorial waters.'' It said such military exercises are part of the growing military collaboration with the US which is resorting to aggressive military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and now targeting Iran.

Since it signed the Defence Framework Agreement with the United States, the Manmohan Singh Government is working to integrate India's armed forces with that of the US, the release added.

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