Modi’s ties with ‘merchants of death’ a threat to India: Kerala CPI leader Binoy Viswam

Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary Binoy Viswam on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that his close ties with global leaders like Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he called “merchants of death”, pose a serious threat to India.

He was inaugurating an anti-imperialist and anti-war seminar organised as part of the AITUC National General Council meeting in Thrissur.

Mr. Viswam accused global powers of fuelling wars to sustain arms trade and control over oil resources. “War has become a tool for those in power. Even as millions are wiped out, world leaders with war ambitions continue to celebrate in silence. They are merchants of death,” he said.

He criticised the Prime Minister for not taking a clear stand against such global developments. “The unfortunate reality is that our Prime Minister is unwilling to raise his voice against this. Friendship with those who profit from war is not India’s tradition,” he added.

Emphasising India’s legacy, Mr. Viswam said the country has historically upheld values of peace, unity, and coexistence. “War is not something distant; it impacts our lives and homes. India must stand for peace, not align with forces that promote conflict,” he said.

Referring to recent global voices against war, he said strong statements from religious and global leaders like Pope offer hope for peace and serve as a warning against imperialism and war-driven politics.

He reiterated that communist movements worldwide have consistently opposed imperialism and war, advocating instead for global peace and solidarity.

The seminar was presided over by AITUC vice-president K. Subbarayan, MP.