Friday, June 2 2006 11:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The CPI(M) has criticised the Government for joining the US-sponsored Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project, saying it showed the 'new direction' of India's foreign policy as Iran would have been a more secure and long-standing partner for the purpose.

Describing the TAP project as 'uncertain and illusory', party's Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury said "If the Iran pipeline is considered 'insecure', then the TAP passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan should be doubly so".

In an editorial in the forthcoming issue of 'People's Democracy', party's weekly organ, he said there were 'serious doubts' about the availability of gas in the TAP project as Turkmenistan has signed major contracts with Russia and China and would have no exportable surplus of gas to be supplied to India.

"This is common knowledge and officials of the Petroleum and the External Affairs ministries should be aware of this,"he said, adding as against this, Iran had abundant reserves.

If the TAP project is materialised, "Which is highly doubtful, then it will only serve US geo-political interests in the region," he said.

"This also has become clear from the note submitted bythe Foreign Secretary to the Petroleum Ministry recommending the TAP project, which shamelessly says 'It would be in tune with the latest US strategic thinking for the region",Yechury said

The CPI(M) leader said there was also the suspicion that many vested political interests do not stand to gain from the Iran pipeline project.

"Their interests would be better served if India continues to depend on the market for purchase of oil rather than address its energy security by firming up pipeline projects. This is because spot purchase of oil facilitates lucrative kickbacks," Yechury said.

"Hence, the 'enlightened national interest' would be best served if we continue to buy oil from American oilmajors," he said. Yechury alleged that US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, "Who has been vocal in her opposition to Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline project, has close links with Chevron, the giant US oil company.

"Rice served on board of directors of Chevron until she resigned to become (President George) Bush's National Security Advisor in 2001.

"The Bush administration with its close links with the petro-dollar lobby will not countenance the IPI project which it sees as a threat to its energy and geo-political interests," he said.

"Yet, the Manmohan Singh government, to maintain pretence, keeps talking about pursuing the IPI project. So does President Musharraf in Pakistan who is under tremendous pressure from the Americans," he said.

Observing that the UPA Government was "Preparing to scuttle the Iran pipeline project", Yechury said, "The overall direction of foreign policy and the constant erosion of India's strategic autonomy will be major issues and will haunt the government in the coming days".