ASSEMBLY POLL '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS '98
ARCHIVES

'Kremlin proposal for a strategic triangle not official'

Kremlin's concept of a strategic triangle consisting of China, India and Russia should not be taken as an official proposal, a foreign ministry spokesperson has said.

He was commenting last night, on worldwide reactions to Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov's statement made in New Delhi.

The spokesperson said both India and Russia shared common or similar views on various issues and added that possibility of economic co-operation between the two countries appeared very bright.

The Russian agency, Novosti, quoted Defence Minister Igor Sergeev as saying, ''The triangle is not meant to become a military bloc and will by no means be spearheaded against third countries.'' He was also quoted by Moscow Radio as saying that he had, during his recent visit to China broached the concept of a power triangle involving India, China and Russia with his Chinese counterpart.

The proposed 'triangle' could well contain prospects for buttressing stability in a vast and important region having a population of over three billion people, Sergeev said.

Commentaries in the Russian media now focus upon the 'triangle' concept and the government-owned daily, Rossisskaya Gazeta said in an article, "Mr Primakov has vocally stated what many politicians have been discussing behind closed doors."

Analysing reasons for mooting the formation of a power-triangle, the daily says it could be because the United States seized the opportunity as the Soviet Union disintegrated and decided that the era of an unipolar world had set in.

It further goes on to say that that the events in Iraq are "vivid proof" of Washington's designs to choose countries for punishment or pardon, even as it is pushing the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation eastwards. The daily also describes the Western military alliance as a "vestige of the Cold War era".

Though the concept might face some problems due to existing Indo-China relations, they can be resolved, feels political analyst Leonid Krychevsky. China has been critical of India for supporting the Tibetan cause.

"Mr Primakov never states anything without analysing an issue. Ever cautious, his mooting the 'triangle' concept only means that US-Russian ties have reached a new stage. The announcement might be propaganda, but its essence shouldn't is be underestimated," writes the daily,Nezavisimaya Gazeta.

Analysts in Moscow feel if the idea of forming a strategic triangle was mooted a few months ago, it would have met a very determined Russian opposition, as Russia was then keen on cementing ties with the US and NATO.

But all that changed once America and Britain launched a combined attack on Iraq, a Moscow Radio commentator said.

Unlike Moscow, which does not hesitate in sending friendly signals, its potential allies China and India are more restrained. Even during the Cold War, when Soviet-Indian relations flowered, India had politely rejected Moscow's persistent efforts to establish a military-political alliance, says the daily Segodnya.

The daily asked if the idea for a strategic triangle actually came from President Boris Yelstin. Since Yelstin is miffed with US President Bill Clinton's decision to strike Iraq without notifying him, the daily feels he might have wanted to explore the possibilities of other potential allies.

On the other hand, Segodnya says, if the idea was Primakov's, it would further elevate his status in the eyes of other heads of state and would ensure that they talk to him.

Novosti analyst Nikolai Paklin says Primakov has sent signals in two directions, ''A warning to the west and an invitation to the east.''

Indo-Russian ties have figured prominently in most leading papers. Novosti's political commentator says in an article that even though relations between India and Russia had been on the wane for the past few years, Russia is now determined to strengthen them now.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report