India, Russia to stand together on NATO strike issue

NEW DELHI, MARCH 26: India and Russia today joined issue on NATO’s bombings against Yugoslavia, promising to consult and coordinate their positions — including at the United Nations — even as US ambassador to India Richard Celeste called on Foreign Secretary K Raghunath to explain the circumstances under which NATO conducted its air strikes.

India’s surprisingly strong reaction against the bombings yesterday seems to have brought about this flurry of diplomatic activity here. Ministry of External Affairs sources said they were realistic about the fact that verbal fulminations would not help change NATO’s mind, especially when a weakened Russia was not willing to take concrete action. Nevertheless, even as the unipolarity of the world order is being underlined by the US, the lead player in the bombings, Moscow seems to be finally attempting alternative positions to at least morally take on Washington.

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov spoke over the telephone to External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singhfor a “detailed exchange of views”, thereby giving the incipient “strategic partnership” an extra dimension. Singh also told reporters that India was in touch with a number of countries, including those from the non-aligned group, which have expressed concern over the NATO air strikes.

According to a statement from the ministry, “The two ministers agreed that India and Russia will continue to consult with each other and coordinate their positions on this issue in the UN.”