NEW DELHI: The Left parties strongly condemned the statement by United States Ambassador David Mulford on the India-U.S. nuclear deal and linking it to India's vote on Iran.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) demanded a statement that India would not "countenance'' a reference to the United Nations Security Council on the Iran nuclear issue.

The CPI (M) Polit Bureau, in its statement, termed it "a serious affront to India and its sovereignty,'' the threat issued by Mr. Mulford that unless India voted against Iran in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear cooperation deal would not be approved by the U.S. Congress.

India `pressured'

Referring to the interview, it said the U.S. Ambassador has warned that the fallout of a vote against the U.S. stand on Iran would be "devastating'' and the nuclear cooperation proposal "will die'' in the Congress. "These remarks confirm that the Indian Government was pressurised on September 24, 2005 to vote against Iran in the IAEA. It also raises serious apprehensions regarding the nuclear cooperation deal being negotiated with the U.S.,'' the party said.

The CPI (M) said two things were immediately required if the Manmohan Singh Government was to restore its credibility in this matter. First, there should be a categorical statement that India will not countenance a reference to the U.N. Security Council on the Iran nuclear issue. Second, the UPA Government should make public all the details of the proposals for nuclear cooperation and separation of civilian and military facilities that have been submitted to the United States.

Strongly condemning the statement, the CPI said the U.S. Ambassador's remarks "grossly interfere in India's sovereign affairs. It was an attempt to dictate what India should do." "Mr. Mulford forgets that he is not the American pro-consul in a banana republic."

It said the CPI and the Left parties had already warned that the U.S. would use the nuclear deal to arm-twist and blackmail India for serving its geo-political interests. The party said the U.S. should be rebuffed and a stern message given that India had dignity and followed an independent foreign policy.

"Keep head high"

The Revolutionary Socialist Party's central committee member, Abani Roy, said the U.S. statement only proves that Washington has been exerting pressure on India. "It is for India to stand up and keep its head high. The country has to pursue an independent foreign policy and maintain it at all costs," he said. The Left parties are scheduled to meet here on Friday to discuss the Iran issue and other related matters.

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