Rebuff US' anti-Iran calls: Communist Party of India (Marxist)

IRNA:

New Delhi, Sept 12

The Communist Party of India on Sunday asked the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to firmly rebuff US demands for joining anti-Iran bandwagon.

A press release from Communist Party of India received by the IRNA aid, "The statement by US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice that Russia, India and China should join the US in demanding Iran halt its nuclear program shows how the United States expects India to behave if it wants the status of a strategic ally," The press release said, "The US is openly demanding that India not proceed with the Iran gas pipeline project. The Bush administration should desist from pressurizing India to join its crusade against Iran."

"The UPA government must firmly rebuff such demands. India's relations with Iran and its quest for energy security cannot be hostage to the USA's arrogant hedonism. The UPA government should consider whether its recent enthusiasm for allying with the US as a strategic partner is serving the country's interest", said the release.

The faxed message said, US Congressman Tom Lantos at the House International Relations Committee has "crudely hectored India to take into account US concerns about Iran, if it wishes to receive benefits from the US.