NEW DELHI : Just as Parliament is getting ready for a discussion on the emerging contours of the India-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday said it is a matter of concern that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "failed to inspire confidence" that India shall relentlessly pursue an independent foreign policy. "This assumes significance in the ongoing debate in the country on the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and the implications it has for India's foreign policy. There is a universal perception that India, under pressure from U.S. imperialism, has been shifting its foreign policy positions as in the case of Iran," the CPI (M) said reacting to Dr. Singh's Independence Day address, in the latest edition of party organ People's Democracy.

It said, neither has the Prime Minister given any assurance that in India's anxiety to shore up its nuclear energy requirements, the country shall not, in any way, compromise on our independent foreign policy. "This, therefore, shall remain an issue of contention. And, public pressure." The comment comes as the Rajya Sabha is scheduled to discuss the nuclear deal on Thursday.

The party said Independence Day was an occasion for "all of us to move forward in the struggle to transform our political independence into the true economic independence of our people." This implies that in the coming year, the people's movements must become more powerful, to safeguard and consolidate the gains the country has made so far in independent India and carry this forward for the economic emancipation of the people.

The editorial noted that on the face of it, the Prime Minister's speech from Red Fort reflected some areas of concerns by touching upon the need to banish poverty and hunger and eradicating illiteracy. It said while the declaration of intent and expression of concern was laudable, the moot question was how to meet these challenges and where does the Government raise resources for investments in schemes such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Bharat Nirman schemes. It also noted that the party had elaborated on the alternative ways of resource mobilisation to fund massive level of public investment.

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