In a development certain to please the Left, India is said to have decided that supporting Venezuela's candidature for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat would best serve its interests and underline its independent position on foreign policy.

On Thursday, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat met Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon to discuss the position that India ought to take in international forums. The meeting took place against the backdrop of PM Manmohan Singh's telephone conversation with US President George W Bush earlier this week in which the Venezuelan issue figured briefly.

SEZ note: The Left has submitted its alternative note on special economic zones, including a thorough review of the SEZ Act, amendments to Land Acquisition Act, model compensation package, reconsideration of tax concessions and formulation of a national rehabilitation policy.