On top of its discontent over the disinvestments issue, the CPI-M on Friday came out with a hard-hitting statement on the framework agreement on US-India defence relationship saying it was "fraught with serious consequences" for the country's strategic and security interests.
The party felt that the agreement signed this week during the current visit of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee would serve the US strategic goals in Asia and placed India in the category of Washington's traditional military allies-- Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.
Already battling the policy of disinvestments in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, which the Left parties have contended was a violation of the Common Minimum Programme, the party said there was no mention of this sort of security and defence partnership with the US in the section on 'defence' in the CMP.
"Nor has the UPA government seen whether it is in consonance with the commitment to pursue an independent foreign policy and promoting multi-polarity in international relations which is stated in the CMP. The United Progressive Alliance government has taken this step without any public debate and discussions within the country," the party's Politburo said in a statement on the agreement reached during the current visit of Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
