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Left flays Centre for voting against Iran

November 27, 2009 23:37 IST

The Left parties on Friday night hit out at the government for going along with a US-sponsored resolution censuring Iran for its controversial nuclear programme saying India's stand was not surprising.

The Congress described as "stated position" India's joining the US in voting against Iran and said it would not affect New Delhi's relationship with Tehran.

"The government of India's stand on Iran is not surprising. It had taken the same stand in 2005", CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat told PTI.

He said he would give a detailed response to India's action after going through the resolution.

CPI national secretary D Raja said India was "under tremendous pressure" from the US to vote against Iran and this was yet another occasion when the government had done it.

He said Iran being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty should abide by the obligations it entails with regard to its nuclear programme.

Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari said India's stand at the IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna was "the stated Indian position that Iran, which is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and a member of IAEA needs to abide by the obligation that it has undertaken both as a signatory and as a member".

Asked whether the decision will affect India's ties with Iran, Tewari said "No, absolutely not.

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