New Delhi: Left parties on Tuesday objected to the Government allowing a US aircraft carrier to dock in Chennai, saying Washington was using New Delhi to counter China and Iran.
The CPM and CPI alleged the visit of nuclear-powered USS Nimitz was part of “hostile operations against Iraq”. Nimitz, which will anchor in Chennai in early July, is the first US aircraft carrier to make a port call India.
A Reuters report said Nimitz is visiting India weeks after a naval strike group led by the ship ended war drills off Iran's coast in the Persian Gulf.
"We are strongly opposed to this visit and we will take it up with the government," said CPM leader Nilotpal Basu. "The Americans are in difficulty in Iraq and are not having their way with Iran and are wary of the growing might of the Chinese," he was quoted by Reuters as saying. "They are desperate to co-opt India in their overall strategy to contain China and some other countries."
"The U.S. could be trying to drag India into its wider strategy to contain Iran. Sometimes our government succumbs to U.S. pressure," said CPI leader D Raja.
Defence Minister A.K. Anthony said there was "nothing new" in the warship’s visit, which the US embassy described as a "landmark event".
The United States Consulate General in Chennai said the Nimitz had an “outstanding” safety record and there was no reason to oppose its visit on the grounds of security.
"There has never been a nuclear accident in the 56-plus year history of the program. US Navy nuclear-powered warships have steamed more than 135 million miles and amassed more than 5,700 reactor-years of safe operating experience," said a press release from the US Consulate General.
Comments
0 comment