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A Strategy Meeting of the Campaign against Pro-US shift in Indian Foreign Policy, on 20th May 2006 |
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Wednesday, 17 May 2006 |
The perceptible shift in India's Foreign policy towards the US has been a growing concern for many of us in South Asia and beyond. India has for some time now been forging close ties with Israel with little regard for its long-standing support to the Palestinian cause. India's vote against Iran at IAEA, the Bush-Manmohan Nuclear deal further cuts into third world solidarity, has very serious ramifications for the region in terms of security, trade, development and is a set back to disarmament. It was with these concerns that a small meeting was held at Gandhi Peace Foundation. The meeting was attended by groups/ organizations* working on peace and on other issues like livelihood, trade, as well as representative from the Palestinian Embassy.
After some discussion, an agreement was reached on two key points.
1. Parliamentary Delegation to Palestine: After discussion with Abdul. Zamali (Palestinian Embassy) it was agreed upon that a joint delegation of Indian- European Members of Parliament should visit Palestine. It was felt that this would have more impact and facilitate visa and other clearance from Israel. The possibility of Human Rights Lawyers delegation was also discussed but no concrete decision was made on this. Prabir and Richa took the responsibility of getting in touch and coordinating with Indian Members of Parliament. Regarding European Parliamentarians, Murthy would coordinate with some of the European counterparts during the European Social Forum. The idea of forming India-Palestine friendship group, holding small workshops and meetings with youth and students in different parts of India was also discussed.
2. Campaign against Pro-US shift in Indian Foreign Policy,
Manmohan-Bush Nuclear Deal: An urgent need was felt by all participants
to begin a campaign, work out different strategies for intervention to
address the pro US shift in India's foreign policy, its joining the US
led "war on terror", and the fall out of these development for India
and South Asia. Given the hype created over the defense deal in the
Indian media, it was felt that such a campaign must concretely counter
and very clearly demonstrate that these developments are not in India's
"enlightened self-interest". For instance, the issue of Iran it was
felt must be linked to concerns of India's energy security. As a first
step towards building the campaign/ working out the contours/
guidelines/ ways of intervention- a strategy meeting will held on 20th
May 2006.
Venue: Rajendra Bhawan, 210 Deen Dayal Upadhaya Marg, New Delhi.
Time: 11.30 AM to 1.30 PM
Please block these dates and do attend the meeting.
In Solidarity,
Varsha R Berry
Focus on the Global South, India
Members present at the Delhi Meeting of Citizens Against Occupation, 22nd April.2005, Gandhi Peace Foundation, New Delhi
Abdul Khalek A. Zamali (Palestinian Embassy, New Delhi), Sara
Vakhshouri (Working on India/ Iran Energy), Meena Menon (Focus on
Global South), Jaya Velankar, Dr. Umakant (NCDHR), Richa Singh (Aman
Trust), Arif Elinton, Prabir Purkayasthe, Ashok Choudhary (National
Forum For Forest People and Forest Workers), P.K. Murthy |
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INTERNSHIP OPENING AT FOCUS ON THE GLOBAL SOUTH, INDIA |
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Focus on the Global South - India A-201, Kailash Apartments, Juhu Church Road, Juhu,
Mumbai – 400 049. India Tel: +91-22-6592 1141 / 51, Telefax: +91-22-2625 4347.
Email: focusind@vsnl.net / focusind@yahoo.com WEBSITE: http://focusweb.org/india
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