Former CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat addressed a seminar on Imperialism in the 21st Century – International Development in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo credit: KVS Giri
Former CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat called for the preservation of India’s historic anti-imperialist legacy and urged people to unite and protest against the ongoing actions of the US and Israel, especially in Iran.
On Friday (March 27, 2026), he was addressing a seminar on ‘Imperialism in the 21st Century – International Development’ organized by the CPI (M) State Committee at MV Vignana Kendram. State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao presided over the session.
Mr Karat described US-Israeli military actions against Iran as “unjust and immoral” and criticized the Indian government for not condemning the attacks. He argued that the Union government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had compromised India’s independent foreign policy by aligning itself closely with the United States.
Referring to global economic trends, Mr. Karat said that after the collapse of the Soviet Union, liberal economic policies gained global dominance. However, these policies are now facing a deep crisis, forcing imperialist countries to use developing countries as markets to sustain their economies.
He noted that China’s rise as a major economic power poses a serious challenge to US global dominance. In response, the United States is increasingly resorting to military interventions in countries such as Iraq, Libya, and Syria.
On the Iran conflict, Mr Karat said the ongoing war had disrupted global oil supplies, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, creating economic tensions across nations. While the US has sought to pressure countries like China through these disruptions, he pointed out that China has secured alternative energy deals, including increased oil imports from Russia. Meanwhile, Russia benefited from expanding oil trade amid global tensions.
Mr. Karat also criticized India’s stance on the conflict, saying that even serious developments such as attacks on Iran and threats to its leadership have not been strongly condemned by the Indian government. He emphasized that India had a long tradition of resistance against imperialism and called for the continuation of this legacy through mass mobilization and public resistance.
The participants condoled with the victims of the Markapuram bus accident. At the seminar, a resolution was adopted condemning American imperialist aggression and celebrating April 7 as Cuban Solidarity Day. On the occasion, Karat also released the book “Imperialism – A Threat to the World” authored by noted economist Prabhat Patnaik.
Published – 27 March 2026 23:01 IST
