The Hindu : National : U.S. stand on pipeline project disturbing: Left

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Friday, Mar 23, 2007
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National

National

U.S. stand on pipeline project disturbing: Left

Special Correspondent

U.S. opposition motivated by partisan interests and its targeting of Iran: CPI(M)

NEW DELHI : The Left parties on Thursday described as ``disturbing'' the United States' opposition to the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project and asked the United Progressive Alliance Government to resist pressure from Washington.

Reacting to a report that the U.S. Energy Secretary conveyed to the Indian Government the opposition of the United States during his visit to New Delhi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) said the project from Iran was of vital interest to India and its energy security.

``The well-known opposition of the U.S. is motivated by its partisan interests and its targeting of Iran. The UPA Government must proceed with the gas pipeline project and ensure completion of the negotiations with Pakistan on the transit fee and other charges,'' a Polit Bureau statement said.

It said the United States was also exerting pressure on India to buy F16 fighter planes and seeking to utilise its military cooperation agreement and ``strategic partnership'' to demand that India buy U.S. fighter planes for ``inter-operability'' and facilitation of joint exercises. The Government should not be swayed by the strategic and commercial interests of the United States in selling weaponry to India, it said.

"Atrocious"

The Communist Party of India said U. S. administration had been opposing the gas pipeline project from the very beginning and termed as ``atrocious'' linking it to the nuclear deal.

``U.S. is opposed to any effort made for building energy security by India in cooperation with Iran... This is nothing but outrageous interference in the affairs of India. As a sovereign country, India has every right to strengthen its energy security through economic cooperation with Iran. Linking the pipeline issue with nuclear deal is atrocious. India is not bound by what U.S. tells,'' the party Central Secretariat said in a statement.

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