New Delhi: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday asked the Indian government not to succumb to the US on the issues of opening up retail trade to multinational firms.
Commenting on the visit of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the CPI-M also urged the Congress-led government not to curtail trade and economic ties with Iran due to US pressure.
A CPI-M statement criticised Hillary Clinton for raising with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee the sharing of Teesta waters between India and Bangladesh.
"The raising of this matter by Hillary Clinton ... is an uncalled for and unacceptable intrusion into a strictly bilateral issue" between Bangladesh and India, it said.
It said Hillary Clinton "will utilise (her) visit to continue to pressurize India to open up retail trade to US and multinational companies.
"The (party) warns the UPA government not to proceed further with allowing FDI in retail trade which has met with widespread opposition in the country.
"(Clinton) will also demand that India stop oil imports from Iran and curtail trade and economic ties... India needs oil and gas supplies from Iran."
IANS
