Military tie-up with US harmful for India: CPI(M) on Malabar

India should not become a cog in the US military strategy in Asia, CPI(M) said today, insisting that New Delhi's military tie-up with Washington is "harmful" for the country's strategic independence and autonomy.
Expressing concerns over fastening relationship between the two nations, the Left party said the upcoming Malabar joint naval exercises by them is a symbol that India is now "fully integrated" with US military strategy in Asia.
In the editorial of upcoming issue of party mouthpiece 'People's Democracy', former party general secretary Prakash Karat also urged all "patriotic" and "anti-imperialist" forces to oppose the Malabar exercise, scheduled to be held later this month.

"Such a strategic military tie up with US is harmful for India's strategic independence and autonomy. India should not become a cog in the US military strategy in Asia. All patriotic and anti-imperialist forces should oppose the staging of the Malabar exercises," Karat said.
He observed the exercise this year is notable for its trilateral nature as Japanese navy will join its Indian and American counterparts.
Karat added the US is "bullish" about bringing Australia too onboard for the exercise.

"The US defence department is on record it wants the joint exercise to comprise four countries. This is part of the US 'pivot' to Asia-Pacific region, the aim of which is to contain China.

"Japan, which is now moving towards military operations abroad, has made it clear that it considers China's moves in the South China Sea and the region its prime concern for strengthening security ties with India," Karat said.
The CPI(M) leader said the US will be deploying a Nimitz class nuclear powered aircraft carrier 'Theodore Roosevelt' for the exercise. The carrier, he said, had participated in aerial attacks in Serbia, Iraq and recently was deployed in support of the Saudi military action in Yemen.
"The US aim is to ensure 'inter operability' of the two armed forces through such joint exercises. Thus, the Malabar exercises are a symbol that India is now fully integrated with the US military strategy in Asia," he added.