Meanwhile, protesting against exercises featuring the US, Japan, Australia India and Singapore, the Left parties said they would hold rallies along the entire east coast to mark their opposition. Two major ‘jathas’ (processions), led by Karat and Bardhan will set off from Chennai and Kolkata on Sept 4 to culminate in Vizag five days later to coincide with the naval exercise. “We will mobilise people on a mass scale. Rallies and meeting will be held at various places,” Karat said. India proposes to host its first-ever multi-nation exercise, involving 25 warships, in the Bay of Bengal from September 4-9.

Why the Left sees red

Rejecting the 123 agreement, the Left said:

• The July 2005 statement is also closely linked to the June 2005 military framework agreement signed with the United States.

• Steadily escalating joint exercises and the inevitable demand that India purchase expensive weaponry from the United States.

• Briefing by US spokesperson emphasizes the cooperation India extended in efforts to isolate Iran by voting twice against it in the IAEA and clear expectation that it will continue to extend its cooperation.