New Delhi: Describing India's decision to discuss co-operation with the US on its Nuclear Missile Defence system as "most objectionable", Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPM) today (Jan 14, 2004) demanded that the Vajpayee Government desist from making New Delhi a "party" to Washington's strategic plans.

"Even when other major countries of the world refused to subscribe to the new missile defence system (of the US), the Vajpayee Government showed inordinate keenness to be part of the new ballistic missile defence system," the party Polit Bureau said in a statement.

It said the Atali Bihari Vajpayee-led Government was "the first one to endorse US President George W Bush's strategic version of nuclear security and the NMD system in May 2001".

The announcement by the US and India to expand strategic partnership in the realm of nuclear, space and high-technology was "one more step taken by the Vajpayee Government to make India part of the US global strategic plans", the CPM said.

The announcement showed that American concerns regarding nuclear proliferation predominate while there are no concrete measures for India accessing high-technology.

"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Government has been set on course of acquiescing in the US drive for global hegemony and new militarisation in return for the US acceptance of India's nuclear weapon status," the party said, demanding the Government desist from "making India party to American strategic plans".