Date:10/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/10/stories/2005101008530400.htm

New Delhi

Bardhan criticises UPA Government

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Once again targeting the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government, Communist Party of India general secretary A B Bardhan on Sunday asked the Centre to pay more attention towards improving economic relations with neighbouring countries and not just solely look towards the West.

"Why is the UPA Government so keen on dealing only with the West? The Government needs to improve its economic relations with other nations also. We need to have strong ties with our neighbours," the Communist leader said at the SAARC Writers Conference here where Union Information and Broadcasting Minister S Jaipal Reddy was also present.

"We need to look towards our East also. Earlier Europe was at the centre of political gravity and this position was later acquired by the US.

But now time has come when Asia will be at the centre of the world," Mr. Bardhan said, adding that soon India and China would become the new leaders of the world.