Oppose US Move on NMD

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

Oppose US Move on NMD

The US Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, will be in New Delhi for talks with the Indian government on the New Missile Defence plan announced by President Bush. The plan envisages the nullification of the 1972 ABM Treaty and the creation of a new missile weapons system. This is an American quest for unbridled dominance in nuclear and missile weaponry which will upset all existing arms control measures. It will result in a new nuclear arms race which will have serious repercussions for India and South Asia too.

The Vajpayee government has hastily welcomed the Bush plan without any careful consideration or consultation. It thereby compromised on India’s basic position on nuclear disarmament and shocked public opinion.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that the Vajpayee government retract from its hasty stand and convey to the US in unambiguous terms India’s concern at this new version of Star Wars.