A Communist leader in India is warning that New Delhi risks becoming a "subordinate military ally of the United States."
In the latest issue of People's Democracy, the magazine of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), chairman Prakash Karat criticized India for linking up with the U.S. armed forces.
He writes that: "The nuclear deal, the military agreement and the economic policies designed to advance the interests of U.S. capital are...harmful for India."
The CPM is part of the coalition government, but it has joined other left-wing parties in challenging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's policies toward the United States.
India's left-wing parties are beginning to mobilize for protests along the east coast against joint naval exercises with the United States beginning September fourth.
Australia, Japan and Singapore will also be taking part in the five days of naval exercises in the Bay of Bengal.
The United States will be sending 13 ships to participate in the exercises, including a nuclear submarine and the nuclear-powered USS Nimitz.
India's leftist parties have also criticized an agreement that will give India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment in exchange for inspections of its civilian nuclear reactors.
