Indian communists condemn US-India Military Alliance

In a joint press statement issued on October 28th, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) point out the following:

"The 2+2 meeting of the Indian and US Defence and Foreign Ministers held in Delhi on October 27 has resulted in the signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) on geo-spatial cooperation. 

With this agreement, all the so-called foundational agreements for a military alliance with the United States have been completed. This also comes in the wake of the joint naval exercise, "Malabar exercise", between the four partners of the Quad which has been announced to be held in November.  

These steps are being justified citing the recent tensions with China on the LAC in Ladakh.  But these agreements have been in the pipeline much before this current standoff.  The Logistics Exchange Agreement, the Communications Security Agreement and the upgrading of the quadrilateral forum have all taken place in the past few years. 

The agreements bind the Indian armed forces with the US military and its strategic designs.  The interlocking of the communications and electronic systems are going to adversely affect the integrity and independent decision making of the Indian defence structure.  These agreements will make us dependent on US weaponry whose technology and systems are going to be controlled by the United States. 

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 Central government should continue to negotiate with China at the highest political and diplomatic levels to resolve the border issue; this does not require India becoming subordinate to America's geo-political strategy in Asia."

Signed by D. Raja, General Secretary of CPI and Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of CPI(M).