Left parties condemn US aggression on Venezuela
New Delhi (PTI): Left parties on Saturday condemned the US attack on Venezuela, and said the real target is its oil reserves.
In a statement issued here, the CPI(M) demanded immediate end to US aggression and withdrawal of all its troops from the Caribbean Sea.
The CPI(M) said it "strongly condemns the blatant act of US aggression on Venezuela by bombing various sites in the country".
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"For the last few weeks the US has mobilised its military and naval forces around Venezuela in order to enforce regime change. This is the real face of the US National Security Strategy 2025, announced in the first week of December 2025," the CPI(M) said.
It said the concentration of US forces in the Western Hemisphere and open declaration of its intent to bring the entire region under its control represent the "Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine".
The Monroe Doctrine is a US foreign policy declaring the Americas off-limits to future European colonization and interference.
"Latin America should be declared a zone of peace and the US should not be allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of sovereign countries," the CPI(M) said.
The Left party also said the the UN Security Council should pass a resolution condemning the US aggression and international pressure must be mounted on the US to immediately stop its aggression on Venezuela.
The CPI(ML) Liberation also condemned the attack, and said aims to impose a US-backed colonial order.
"A social media post by Donald Trump even claims that President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured and flown out of Venezuela. This war is not just against Venezuela, but an open threat against every people in the region and across the world who strive to determine their own future free from imperialist dictates," it said.
CPI(ML) said the same lies used to justify the invasion of Iraq, the seizure of its oil, and the devastation of its people are now recycled as so-called "narco-terrorism" to justify a regime-change operation against President Maduro and the plunder of Venezuela, a country with largest oil reserves in the world.
"Trump's war on the people of Venezuela aims to impose a US-backed colonial order. It seeks to crush the Bolivarian Revolution that overthrew a US supported oligarchy and returned the nation's oil wealth to the people. The war is to seize Venezuela's oil once again for US multinational corporations and install a puppet government to serve imperialist interests," it said.
The Left party called the war the latest chapter in the "bloody history" of US intervention across Latin America and the Caribbean, manipulating elections, overthrowing democratically elected governments, subjugating people's movements, unleashing bloodshed, and imposing destruction.
"From Guatemala to Chile, from Grenada to Panama, the US Monroe Doctrine, which treats the Latin American region as its "personal backyard" and which Trump seeks to reinforce, has always meant subjugation, exploitation, and repression, denying the peoples of the region their right to sovereignty and self-determination," it said.
The CPI(ML) said it stands in unyielding solidarity with the people of Venezuela as they defend their sovereignty and their right to determine their own political and economic course, free from imperialist interference.
"We call upon all democratic and peace-loving forces worldwide to stand against this imperialist aggression and the attempts to impose a new order of colonial subjugation under the Trump regime," it added.
The Communist Party of India also strongly condemned the aggression, and called a gross violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the universally accepted principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference.
"Such imperialist adventurism gravely threatens peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean and endangers the lives of millions of Venezuelan people. The CPI unequivocally denounces this aggression, which once again exposes the aggressive nature of US imperialism and its contempt for international norms," it said.
The CPI expressed "firm solidarity" with the Government and people of Venezuela, and said the real objective of this attack is to seize Venezuela's oil and mineral resources.
The CPI called upon all peace-loving peoples, democratic forces, and progressive governments across the world, including in India, to raise their voices against this imperialist aggression and to stand in active solidarity with the Bolivarian Revolution and the Venezuelan people in defence of peace, sovereignty, and self-determination.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
