A classified cable sent on January 30, 2006 by then US Ambassador David C Mulford claims that the Cabinet reshuffles in India have clear foreign policy implications.

The Opposition had yesterday slammed the government after a series of exposures by WikiLeaks on this issue.

The cable suggested that the "contentious and outspoken Iran pipeline advocate" Mani Shankar Aiyar had been removed.

It added that the "pro-US" Murli Deora had then been appointed as Petroleum Minister. Mulford described this as excellent for US goals in India and Iran.

In Rajya Sabha, CPM member P Rajeev raised the issue, arguing that the secret cables "reveals the pressure by the US on India and the pro-US positions of our government on several issues".

He said it was "very shameful" that New Delhi agreed to share information about investigation into the 26/11 terror attacks under pressure from the US. He mentioned about the cables regarding cabinet formation.

"WikiLeaks has talked about the 'Kerala mafia'. This is the way your strategic partner refers to the senior bureaucrats in India. This is very shameful. We want a response," Rajeev said.