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Indian communists issue warning over US military agreement

INDIAN communists have condemned a military alliance struck between the US and the Modi government as a threat to peace and stability in the region amid growing tensions with neighbouring China.

In a joint statement, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Communist Party of India (CPI) warned today that the Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) signed in Delhi earlier this week undermines national sovereignty.

The deal, which lays the foundation for a deeper military alliance, was struck just days after it was announced that joint naval exercises will be held by the two nations next month.

The communist parties warned that the deal would bind India’s armed forces to the US military and the strategic interests of Washington, which is ratcheting up a new cold war with Beijing.

Under the agreement, it is feared that India will be used as a pawn in the US’s increased hostility towards China.

“These agreements will make us dependent on US weaponry whose technology and systems are going to be controlled by the United States,” the statement said.

“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 parties called for negotiations between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP-led government and China over the contentious border area of Ladakh, which has seen deadly clashes between the country’s armed forces.

Earlier this week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pledged continued US support for India in the border dispute.

“We will stand with India as they confront threats to their sovereignty, liberty,” he said during a visit to Delhi on Monday.

Beijing hit out at the US’s “behaviour of engaging in unilateralism and bullying” as it continues to warn nations of the “threat” it alleges is posed by China.

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