Taking strong exception to the US opposition, Left parties have urged the Government to proceed with the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline as the project is of vital interest to India and its energy security. The Politburo also urged the Government to “resist the pressure exerted by the US for buying F-16 fighters”.

“The report that the US Energy Secretary during his visit to Delhi has conveyed to the Indian government the opposition of the United States to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is disturbing,” the Politburo said in a statement.

The CPI, meanwhile, said the statement of the US energy secretary Samuel Bodman is nothing “but outrageous interference in the affairs of India”. “The UPA Government should stand by its commitment and pursue the efforts of the gas pipeline”, the CPI said.

CPI(M) said the opposition of the US to the gas pipeline “is motivated by its partisan interests and its targeting of Iran”. “The UPA government must proceed with the gas pipeline project and ensure the completion of the negotiations with Pakistan on the transit fee and other charges.” The CPI(M) said the US is also exercising pressure on India to buy F-16 fighter planes. “India should resist such pressures. The purchase of fighter planes should not be swayed by the strategic and commercial interests of the US.”