Tribune News ServiceNew Delhi, September 29
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee today clarified that the American military Hercules C-130 transport aircraft which landed at the high security Palam technical area yesterday had nothing to do with the proposed action in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister’s clarification came at the meeting he had convened with the Opposition parties this morning. The clarification came after all Opposition parties reacted sharply to the assistance provided by India and alleged that the BJP-led NDA government had not taken the nation into confidence before taking the step.
The Prime Minister informed the Opposition leaders that India had provided the American military aircraft with refuelling facility, but there was no military
hardware or troops on board the plane. He explained that there were just six US military officials on board who were assigned to the US Defence Attache at the embassy here. The plane returned to Singapore after leaving the embassy staff here.
Later, Information Technology and Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan also clarified that there was nothing unusual about India providing refuelling facilities to foreign aircraft.
Earlier, the Opposition parties took a strong objection to India providing the USA with landing facilities to its aircraft which were possibly ferrying military hardware and troops for action in Afghanistan.
The Left parties said it was contrary to the assurance given by the Prime Minister that India’s involvement would not go beyond exchange of information with the USA.
“Strong doubts have arisen in the minds of the people that such provision of landing facilities will gradually involve our country in the intended American war against Afghanistan,” the CPM Politburo said in a statement here.
Asking the government to adhere to its assurance given at the recent all-party meeting and the consensus arrived then, it said the Prime Minister had assured that India’s involvement in the war against terrorism would not go beyond exchange of information with the USA.
CPI national secretary Atul Kumar Anjan condemned the move, saying it was done without taking the country into confidence. “It looks like government is trying to hide certain moves,” he said.
The Congress, while warning the government against allowing Indian soil to be used by foreign troops to attack a third country, said it had no objection to American military aircraft halting here for refuelling. It pointed out that this has been permitted in the past.
