Indo-US Military Exercises In Ladakh

Date: 
Saturday, September 6, 2003

Press Statement

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

 Opposition to Joint Exercises with US Forces in Ladakh

 The ongoing military collaboration between the Indian and US armed forces has reached a new stage with joint exercises being conducted by the US special forces in Ladakh.  The Vajpayee government is  going ahead with the  US proposal  to integrate the Indian armed forces with the US strategic plans.  The exercises on the India-China  border come after a similar exercise  at the Mizoram jungle training school in the North-East.  The United States armed forces are being given access to all vital sectors within India as per the plan.

 The  Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes this strategic military collaboration with the United States. The Vajpayee government should reverse this approach which is harmful to India's sovereignty and security interests.