Sunday, September 11 2005 19:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Asking the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government to firmly rebuff US demands of joining its anti-Iran bandwagon, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) today (Sept 11, 2005) said India's relations with Iran and its quest for energy security could not be held hostage to America's 'arrogant hegemonism.'

The US is openly demanding that India should not proceed with the Iran gas pipeline project. The Bush administration should desist from pressurising India to join its crusade against Iran, CPI-M Polit Bureau said in a statement.

"The UPA Government must firmly rebuff such demands. India's relation with Iran and its quest for energy security cannot be hostage to the USA's arrogant hegemonism.

"The UPA Government should consider whether its recent enthusiasm for allying with the US as a strategic partner is serving the country's interest," the statement said.

The statement by US Secretary of state Condoleeza Rice that Russia, India and China should join the US in demanding Iran halt its nuclear programme shows "how the US expects India to behave if it wants the status of a strategic ally", the statement said.

It said US Congressman Tom Lantos at the House International Relations Committee has "crudely hectored India to take into account US concerns about Iran, if it wishes to receive benefits from the US."