India's communists want foreign investment restrictions

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Updated March 18, 2009 22:04:04

India's most influential hard-left political party released its election manifesto this week, - India's massive five-phase general election takes place from April 16 to May 13 - proposing the country should ban foreign investment in the retail sector and restrict foreign firms entering other domestic sectors.

The Marxist faction of the Communist Party of India, known as CPI-M, also wants a review of India's nuclear deal with the US and a rethink of military relations between the countries. Analysts say the left-wing party has little chance of winning outright, but could exert considerable influence if it achieves enough votes to hold a balance of power.

Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: G.V.L. Narasimha Rao, director of the polling agency, Development and Research Services, in India; Brian Hayes, chairman of the Australia India Business Council

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