CPI(M) criticises India's vote against Iran at IAEA

New Delhi, Dec 1 (PTI) Communist Party of India-Marxist
(CPI-M) Tuesday criticised the Indian government for voting
against Iran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
and demanded a statement explaining why the resolution moved
by the US was supported.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Indian
Parliament) during Zero Hour, CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia
said it was "unfortunate" that India had voted along with the
US to censure Iran at the IAEA last week.
He criticised the resolution, saying it came at a time
when discussions were on between Iran and the West over the
nuclear issue and Iran had agreed to allow IAEA inspections at
its atomic sites.
Acharia questioned India's decision to go along with the
US on the resolution when a number of countries abstained and
three countries opposed.
"There was a high-level meeting in Washington before the
Government of India decided to vote against Iran," the CPI(M)
leader said citing media reports.
Amid objections by some Congress members to his
contention, he asked the government to give a statement,
clarifying as to what prompted it to support the resolution.
After voting for the resolution, India said it did so as
it does not want Iran to acquire nuclear weapons and that the
Persian nation should adhere to the obligations as a signatory
of Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
At the same time, it said the resolution should be the
basis for "further punitive" action against Iran and the
matter should be resolved through dialogue. (MORE) PTI AKK
MYR


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