[Marxistindia] CPI(M)-CPI joint statement on military alliance with US

[news from the cpi(m)]

October 28, 2020
Press Statement
 
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Communist Party of
India [CPI] have issued the following statement:
 
Military Alliance with US not in National Interest
 
The 2+2 meeting of the Indian and US Defence and Foreign Ministers held in
Delhi on October 27 has resulted in the signing of the Basic Exchange and
Cooperation Agreement (BECA) on geo-spatial cooperation.
 
With this agreement, all the so-called foundational agreements for a
military alliance with the United States have been completed. This also
comes in the wake of the joint naval exercise, "Malabar exercise", between
the four partners of the Quad which has been announced to be held in
November.  
 
These steps are being justified citing the recent tensions with China on the
LAC in Ladakh.  But these agreements have been in the pipeline much before
this current standoff.  The Logistics Exchange Agreement, the Communications
Security Agreement and the upgrading of the quadrilateral forum have all
taken place in the past few years.
 
The agreements bind the Indian armed forces with the US military and its
strategic designs.  The interlocking of the communications and electronic
systems are going to adversely affect the integrity and independent decision
making of the Indian defence structure.  These agreements will make us
dependent on US weaponry whose technology and systems are going to be
controlled by the United States.
 
The emerging military alliance with the US will have long term consequences
for India's independent foreign policy and strategic autonomy.  It is not in
conformity with national interests.  The Central government should continue
to negotiate with China at the highest political and diplomatic levels to
resolve the border issue; this does not require India becoming subordinate
to America's geo-political strategy in Asia.  
 
Sd/-
Sd/-
Sitaram Yechury
D. Raja
General Secretary, CPI(M)                                     General
Secretary, CPI
 
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