Vajpayee’s China Visit: Eating a Humble Pie

Atal Behari Vajpayee’s six-day visit to China coincided with General Pervez Musharraf’s Camp David rendezvous with the American President. The two simultaneous visits have served to highlight the paradoxical realities underlying the subcontinent’s external relations with the rest of the world. Musharraf’s US visit fetched Pakistan a $ 3 billion aid package and renewed political support for his regime. This also meant a clear message for the Vajpayee government that despite its all-out attempts to please Washington and emerge as the exclusive American ally or client in this part of the world, Pakistan continues to enjoy greater strategic significance in the American scheme. Vajpayee’s China visit has yielded a joint declaration and nine separate agreements – all essentially in the nature of statements of intent and policy directives. The biggest message emanating from the exercise is that it is impossible for India to ignore China and live only on US blessings.

Vajpayee’s China visit was the third by an Indian Prime Minister in the last fifteen years. The high point of the visit was the signing of a “Declaration on Principles for Relations and Comprehensive Cooperation” between China and India. The declaration called for building “a qualitatively new relationship” that would meet the need to “promote the socio-economic development and prosperity of both China and India; maintain peace and stability regionally and globally; strengthen multipolarity at the international level; and enhance the positive factors of globalization.” It should be noted that while the declaration did not mention the Anglo-American occupation of Iraq or the growing threat of American intervention in other parts of Asia, it did in its own way emphasise the need for a multipolar world order, for strengthening and reforming the UN system and ensuring greater representation of developing countries in the UN Security Council and for forging closer cooperation between China and India in the World Trade Organisation.

The joint declaration has also highlighted the need for a qualitative enhancement of the China-India “bilateral relationship at all levels and in all areas.” In this context, it has been categorically mentioned that the two neighbours do not pose a threat to each other, and that India recognises the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of the Chinese territory and would not allow Tibetans to engage in anti-China political activities in India. The declaration also called for expanding economic cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the existing complementarities between the two economies.

According to Chinese diplomats, this is the first time India has clearly recognised Tibet as part of the Chinese territory. The term Tibet Autonomous Region used in the declaration is the term used by China to describe Tibet. There is however no mention of Sikkim in the main declaration. Sikkim figures in the agreement on expansion of Indo-China border trade which arguably amounts to a tacit recognition of Sikkim as part of India. Even Vajpayee in his concluding statement issued from Shanghai only claimed this much: “we have … started the process by which Sikkim will cease to be an issue in India-China relations.”

Indian chauvinists, whether of the saffron variety or donning the Congress tricolour or the Lohiaite Green, are predictably making a lot of noise about the so-called Tibet-Sikkim deal, with some even going to the extent of calling the entire visit a sell-out. It is first of all wrong to equate Tibet and Sikkim. For all the controversies surrounding Tibet, it has effectively been Chinese territory ever since the emergence of the post-revolutionary People’s Republic of China. And the Dalai Lama’s self-proclaimed government-in-exile, which continues to operate from Indian soil despite Indian Government’s commitment to the contrary, continues to be as irrelevant as ever. Sikkim, on the other hand was incorporated into India only in 1975 and the process was described by many, including China, as annexation. It is another thing that today there is little controversy inside Sikkim regarding its incorporation into India as one of India’s twenty-eight states. The fear of Indian annexation is however still a reality in Bhutan.

It is true that the joint declaration marks a clear climb down from many of India’s earlier positions on China. Five years ago in the wake of the Pokhran blasts it was none other than Vajpayee who had tried to justify Pokhran by invoking the so-called Chinese threat. And we cannot forget the disgrace he had inflicted on the country by writing a letter to Bill Clinton to this effect. His Man Friday (or Hanuman), George Fernandes tried to impose his anti-China prejudice as India’s foreign policy by describing China as India’s enemy number one!

These extreme positions were clearly unrealistic and unsustainable. Since 1962, there is nothing that China has done vis-à-vis India that could have even remotely justified describing China as a threat or as an enemy. The recent visits to China by Fernandes and Vajpayee have therefore marked a welcome and major policy defeat for the chauvinist doctrine of Indian foreign policy. A befitting fiasco for chauvinists who would like to sell their stupid arrogance and pathetic pro-Americanism as India’s foreign policy. It was long overdue for Vajpayee and Fernandes to eat their humble pies, and that’s probably why we did not see them wearing masks in SARS-hit China!

Judgement in "Best Bakery Carnage":
Yet Another Miscarriage of Justice

Describing the judgement as "yet another miscarriage of justice that has shamed the entire nation", CPI(ML) said, "it is time for all secular and democratic forces in Gujarat and elsewhere in the country to come forward to thwart the ploy to whitewash genocide in Gujarat".

CPI(ML) said that the statements of Justice T. Nanawati that virtually gave clean chits to the murderers and now the judgement of a Vadodara 'fast-track-court' acquitting all the accused raised the ominous spectre of miscarriage of justice.

Accusing the Narendra Modi govt. of silencing the testimonies of the victims and threatening the witnesses, CPI(ML) said, "the reason behind Zahira Sheikh, the key witness in the case, turning hostile is not far to seek. She has been threatened of her life. Before deposition before the Court she was closely guarded by a BJP MLA and she is reported to be missing after the deposition."

CPI(ML) said "why is it that people have felt free to give testimonies to independent panels and tribunals, but are fearful of speaking up before the court or any official commission?"

The CPI(ML) has also expressed outrage at Togadia's renewed fits of demonising and abusing Muslims in the country and said, "the most suitable place for elements like Togadia is the confinement of rigorous imprisonment".

CPI(ML) Expresses Deep Concern Over Attack on Army camp in J&K

The CPI(ML) has expressed deep concern over the atttack on army camp in Sanjuwan in which 12 Indian soldiers were killed and several injured. Expressing grief over the loss of lives of soldiers, CPI(ML) said that the attack was yet another glaring example of major security lapse. The ease with which the ‘extremists’ made their way not into a public place but to an army camp, that too in J&K, which is supposed to be heavily guarded and under high alert shows the extent of laxity on the part of the guardians of our national defence on the question of safeguarding its own military camps and other important establishments.

Coming down heavily on the BJP-led central government on the question of latter’s claim that it understands national security more than others, CPI(ML) said , “terrorism vs. national security is only a buzzword of the government for its political consumption. Guaranteeing internal democracy and strengthening national security are certainly not on the agenda of the government.” The BJP government can not escape its accountability to the nation on the question of national security.

Power Tarrifs increase in Delhi Opposed

The CPI(ML) has opposed the recent hike in electicity tarrif in the capital and termed it a ploy to facilitate three private companies who now runs Delhi’s electricity distribution and transmission system after privatisation of Delhi Vidyut Board two years ago. Already high power tarrifs in Delhi have been hiked further and consumers will have to pay bills increased to the tune of nearly 10% for no extra power consumed. It may be recalled that Delhi’s huge electricity distribution infrastructure was handed over to two private players for almost free with plenty of concessions. With massive power cuts and shut-downs for long hours, Delhi’s power distribution scenerio has deteriorated futher after privatisation. The government instead of putting any checks on private distribution companies, is working to help them provide super profits for doing nothing at the cost of consumers. Despite failing to achieve assigned targets they are now being facilitated to make super profits by providing subsidy and increased terrifs. The only concession given to consumers is that the people who consume electicity upto 400 units per month have to pay increased bill by next year, thanks to political opportunism as the Assembly elections in Delhi are due in September-October this year. But here too, private companies will be subsidised by public exchequer. Hurrah to privatisation!

Dharna to Demand Scrapping of Legislative Council in Bihar

CPI(ML) organised dharnas and mass meetings at district headquarters in Bihar to demand scrapping of Bihar Legislative Council on june 23 which was the last day for filing nomination papers for the ongoing elections to the Council. Party also appealed to the masses to boycott these elections as the Legislative Councils in states have become useless constitutional bodies and only purpose served by them is to make backdoor entries of power hungry politicians. The large funds being spent to maintain Legislative Councils is an utter misuse of public money and this must be stopped in a poor state like Bihar.

In Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Champaran districts thousands of people participated in dharnas including hundreds of Panchayat representatives.

AIPWA’s Anti-Liquor Movement in Punjab

The All India Progressive Women’s Association (Pragatisheel Stree Sabha) organised a dharna in Khokhar Kalan to protest the allottment of contract for a liquor shop at Bus Stand in Khokhar Kalan on June 25. This was also supported by PRSU, Kirti Mazdoor Union and BKU (Ekta). Hundreds of villagers participated in dharna which was led by AIPWA leader Kulwinder Kaur. Before Dharna AIPWA conducted a signature campaign against liquor shops at public places. A memorandum was given to the DC on this occasion asking him to cancel all licences of liquor shops which are being run at public places within a fortnight. The dharna was also addressed by AIPWA leader Jita Kaur.

AISA- RYA National Workshop on 2-3 July

AISA and RYA will organise a national workshop on 2-3 July at Ramnagar in Uttarakhand. The event will be a part of the campaign to streamline and strengthen the organisations. CPI(ML) CC member and editor of ‘Liberation’ Com. Arindam Sen and AISA and RYA Incharge Dhirendra Jha will address the student and youth activists.

Agri. Labourers’ Protests in UP

The Khet Mazdoor Sabha (KMS) unit of Lucknow district organized dharna and demonstration at Buxi talab tehsil on June 24 to demand land pattas on gramsabha land to the landless and poor agrarian labourers, release of illegally grabbed land from anti-social elements and to distribute it among landless, implementation of the minimum wages, guarantee of work for the whole year, BPL cards to all poor, widow and old age pension, and to make public all the expenditures incurred in various development prograrammes.

Newly constituted Kushinagar district unit of KMS organised a march in the city which culminated into a dharna before the Chief Development Officer (CDO) on 25 June. In this march more than 200 agricultural laboureres and rural poor from 17 villages took part. Seeing people’s mood, CDO had to come at the venue to assure the people of speedy implemention of demands submitted before him through a memorandum. The main demands of dharna were waiver of loans, allotment of surplus land to the poor, and to put a check on the prevalent corruption in the Nirbal Awas Yojana.

REPORTS FROM JHARKHAND

Þ Mahuatand area in Bokaro district recently witnessed a militant people’s protest where police station was gheraoed by thousands of people who were enraged over the complicity of police station in-charge in several cases of crime and corruption. The recent cause of protest was the kidnapping and rape of a rural adivasi girl in which police station in-charge played a very dubious role. When the victim and members of her family went to the police station to lodge FIR, the police station incharge misbehaved with them and did not register the case. When CPI(ML) mounted pressure on the administration and police, FIR was lodged, but the station incharge continued to support and shield the rapists. This triggered the protest and people gheraoed the thana in thousands. All policemen present inside thana were held captive by the angered people for hours. Somehow the police station in-charge managed to escape from the place. The gherao was called off only after the CO of the area promised to arrest the rapists within a week. A charter of demand was also submitted to him. Apart from the demand of arrest of rapists, demands included suspension of the Mahuatand police station in-charge and compensation to the people who had been victimised and looted by the police of the area.

ÞHundreds of people gheraoed the Chas block office on 24 June in Bokaro district with a charter of demands related to various developmental issues. The protesters demanded the SDO to come out and listen to people’s grievances in person. Though the SDO was ready to negotiate with a delegation, protesters continued to insist that he must come out to face the masses directly. Later, hundreds of demand-posters were pasted on the walls of the block office. This protest demonstration was led among others by Party State Secretary Shubhendu Sen and District Secretary Dinesh Singh.

ÞBraving heavy rains, hundreds of workers held a demonstration at the DC office in Ranchi on 28 June and submitted a nine-point charter of demands. The demands included immediate registration of unorganised workers and implementation of wages in accordance with central labour laws, construction of shades for workers, easy provision of cheap rations and pension.

ÞPalamu district police is working hand-in-glove with feudals and mafia in the area. CPI(ML) had planned for a meeting on 29 June at Rabda village in the district to organise people on land related issues. At the behest of a local feudal and MLA Girinath Singh, the police reached the village on 28 June and started threatening people. The police arrested four Party cadres and seized propaganda materials and vehicles which were being used for the meeting.

Panchayat Elections in Punjab

CPI(ML) supported candidates and sympathisers contesting Panchayat elections in Mansa and Bhatinda districts include three Sarpanches and more than twenty ward members.

CPI(ML) Sends Message of Solidarity to New Democratic Party of Sri Lanka

The CPI(ML) has sent its solidarity greetings to the New Democratic Party of Sri Lanka on the occasion of it’s 25th anniversary celebrations which is being held in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, on 6 July 2003.

In a letter sent to NDP, the CPI(ML) has said “the 25th anniversary of the NDP Sri Lanka is being celebrated at a time when US imperialism, enemy number one of the world people, has embarked on a world war to subjugate and colonise the countries of the Third World. It is an endless war, and after Afghanistan and Iraq, the US warmongers are busy calculating whom to attack next. On the other hand, post-occupation resistance has begun in Iraq, and the US-UK axis of evil is finding it hard to realise its dream of achieving a quick stabilization there for sucking oil to reap “reconstruction” profits. Inter-imperialist contradictions have not abated after the conclusion of the war of aggression and, on the other hand, anti-globalisation struggles around the world have also picked up.”

“To exercise control over this part of the world, the US imperialists have brazenly expressed their wish to establish bases in the Indian subcontinent and the reactionary ruling classes are shamelessly trying to obey US masters. The US intervention in India and Pakistan is getting clearer day by day, but other countries of the region, be it Nepal or Myanmar, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, all are equally vulnerable to US intervention.”

“In this scenario the people and the communist parties in the Third World, and obviously in the Indian subcontinent, have a historic role to play in defeating the conspiracy of US imperialism against the people of the region in which our own ruling classes have agreed to play junior partners’ role.”

“We have full confidence that our two parties and people of India and Sri Lanka will fight shoulder to shoulder through to an end in the battle for safeguarding our national independence and sovereignty. We have also firm faith that our two parties will continue to march in unison to achieve our national goals of dislodging the enemies for establishing new democracy in our respective countries.”

CPI(ML) has appreciated NDP’s lofty determination to unite with the Indian Marxist-Leninists and the broad masses of India in their opposition to Hindutwa fascist ruling clique and regional hegemony practiced by Indian rulers.

OBITUARIES

CPI(ML) mourns the death of three leading Party activists who were killed on 25 June at Lassa village of Jehanabad district in Bihar by the criminals belonging to RJD and PWG. The killing sparked off several protests in Jehanabad and elsewhere in Bihar. Com. Lalan Paswan (Jehanabad rural block committee member), Com. Kamlesh Yadav (Karpi BCM) and Com. Mithilesh Yadav (Karpi Khet-Mazdoor Sabha leader) were killed by Dinesh Yadav and his gangmen. Dinesh Yadav was also killed during the resistance put up by the people. He was a notorious criminal of the area enjoying support and patronage of both RJD and PWG. Three martyred comrades were on the way to Kako to attend a Party class. In protest to this killing, thousands of people took out a massive march in Jehanabad on 26 June. A ‘Sankalp Sabha’(pledge-taking meeting) was held at Lassa village. Party held such meeting all over the district.

CPI(ML) condoles the premature and untimely demise of Com. Vikas Kumar in a rail accident near Nadvan Station at Patna-Gaya line on June 26. He was a student of Patna University and was active on student front. He was also active on cultural front. In April 2003,while leading a movement of school students he was arrested and jailed in Patna for more than a month. On June 27, CPI(ML) MLAs moved an adjournment motion in Bihar Assembly against this criminal negligence of railways and demanded resignation of Railway Minister and arrest of the railway contractor directly responsible for this accident.

Hundreds of students and Party activists bid farewell to Comrade Vikas in Jehanabad where his body was brought after the accident. Patna college in Patna remained closed on June 27 and students and teachers organised a condolence meeting and a march in his memory. While on June 29 AISA burnt effigy of Rail Minister Nitish Kumar in protest and on June 30 a memorial meeting was organised in Patna university which was attended by large number of people including students, teachers and cultural activist. This was addressed by CPI(ML) Bihar State Secretary Ramjatan Sharma and Parmeshwar Prasad, father of Comrade Vikas. Several organisations including Prerana, Abhiyan, Hirawal and IPTA have also mourned his departure. The death of Comrade Vikas has come as a cruel shock.

For the Kind Attention of ML Update Readers

Dear ML Update Readers,

Þ The ‘ML Update’ will now be available only through a yearly subscription, i.e., Rs. 50. From now on, it will not be sent as complementary copy to “Liberation” subscribers. After this new arrangement we have received a good number of subscriptions for the ML Update. We again request all ‘ML Update’ and ‘Liberation’ readers who have not yet sent there subscriptions to send it at the earliest to ensure your copy and to avoid any inconvenience in the future.

- Editor