[R-G] Statement on Indian Defence Expenditure

[AIAIF]

  On behalf of the All India Anti-imperialist Forum Manik Mukherjee, Vice-President, has issued the following statement on the defence expenditure and pro-imperialist stance of the Indian Government. 
   
   
  The All India Anti-imperialist Forum condemns the move of the Indian ruling class for increasing militarization of the Indian economy. While the Government is curtailing social welfare measures of the people and is going in for increasing privatization in education and health sectors, its defence expenditure is skyrocketing.  Not only are the Indian monopoly houses entering in a big way in defence production, the arms manufacturers of the imperialist countries are setting up joint ventures with the Indian monopoly houses for manufacturing sophisticated weaponry which would be supplied to the Indian armed forces  and would be commodities in the international arms trade. The Indian Government  is establishing close military ties with USA and Israel and is planning for big arms purchases from them. Joint military exercises with these countries, launching of Israeli satellites by ISRO, visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and of Under-Secretary of Defense Frank Lavin
 are all manifestations of the same policy. This is in line with the aspiration of the Indian ruling class, which itself has attained imperialist character,  to emerge as a major power in Southeast Asia  The Indo-US nuclear deal is a part of this game. We appeal to the Indian people to be vigilant about the imperialist character of the Indian ruling class and to build up massive people’s movements to force the Indian government to curtail its defence expenditure and give up its pro-imperialist policies.


       
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