Kathmandu: The de facto inheritor of the former Soviet Union-the Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin appears to have woken from the deep slumber in which it was in for almost a decade or so to find its former super power role and place in the comity of the nations.

In the process the Russian Federation wishes to secure its former heavyweight decisive role in the world affairs by formulating certain measures, internal as well external, which if put into practice will apparently facilitate her new aims and goals.

Indications to these effects were last week, January 5,2001, boldly spelt out by the Kathmandu based Russian Ambassador Vladimir V. Ivanov at a Nepal Council of World Affairs lecture program.

The topic of the lecture series was “Concept of Russian Policy and concrete steps of President Vladimir Putin and His Administration”.

Whether the Russian Federation with its dwindling economy at the moment will bag success in its new assertive role or not is a different question. However, the RF Ambassador in Kathmandu made the lecture in an apparently very assertive mood. To add to this, the Chechen issue continues to be its “bleeding wound” at the moment in which it sees the hands of some fanatic elements residing in far flung countries and dubs the whole act as to be the outcome of “international terrorism”.

That the RF is all set to find its decisive role in the global politics is best reflected in Ambassador Ivanov’s statement when he says: ” Our policy here will proceed from the conviction that a multi-polar world system, one precluding any monopoly or dominance in world affairs of any single power or group of nations, is the best foundation for a stable world and sustained development”.

What is more than clear from this statement is , firstly, the RF is deadly against the lone super power role played by the US at the moment more so since the collapse of the USSR and secondly it would rather prefer to go along with a multi-polar world.

This is perhaps a subtle indication to the US that the RF did not accept its present decisive role any more. In other words the RF also wishes to sound the US to accept the existence of a multi-polar world and march ahead for suatained development.

Ambassador Ivanov’s statement also hinted that the past decade in the life of the RF as a State remained very painful in the sense that either its role were totally neglected or underrated by other competent powers in the world scene. “We understood at last how hard it is to get dignity and how precious the dignity of the country is”, said the Russian envoy.

This means that the RF under Putin will wish to regain its former dignity come what may. However, Nepali intellectuals wish that the new RF will not copy all the negative sides of the former USSR in the broader interest of its own citizens and the world at large. A tussle of the previous sort between the then USSR and the USA perhaps should not reoccur again.

Highlighting the newly approved Foreign Policy concepts of his country, Ivanov said that it would now be guided by the factors such as, for example, realism, pragmatism, focus on economic aspects, protection of its citizen’s overall interests, reduction in the role of armed force in international relations, sticking to the enhanced role of the UN body and etc.

“Russia’s foreign policy will be linked to the pursuit of national interests in increasingly practical ways, and consistent and if warranted, tough action will be taken to uphold these interests”, explained the Ambassador.

However, what sort of tough actions would be in effect in safeguarding its national interests, the envoy did not divulged.

He however made it clear that RF’s relations with Japan, Europe, Asia and Pacific , ASEAN and the nations of South Asia will see a sea change in the years ahead in which RF’s economic interests would be taken into proper account.

“Development of relations of friendship with the leading Asian nations, primarily with China and India constuitutes a major goal for the RF foreign policy in Asia”, added the Ambassador.

Regarding RF relations with India, the Ambassador opined that the “traditional” partnership including in “international affairs” would be strengthened to help overcome problems persisting in SA and strengthen stability in the region.

To recall, Russia and India continue to enjoy very best of the relations which got manifested in the recently concluded visit of President Putin to India. However, the fact is that India over these months apparently has been enjoying “honeymoon” like relations with the lone super power-the USA. How these relations will affect the Indo-Russian ties will have to be watched.

“’Russia views the signing by India and Pakistan of the CTBT treaty and their accession to the Non-Proliferation treaty of N-weapons as an important factor of stability in the Asia-Pacific region. It will support the line for the creation of n-free zones in Asia”, the Ambassador added.

Regarding RF’s relations with Nepal, Ambassador Ivanov made it amply clear that it would be developed in the “new context” since remarkable changes took place in both RF and Nepal and in the world in the last decade.

Earlier, the NCWA President, Professor Panna Kaji Amatya introduced the Ambassador. Mr. Laxman K.C offered vote of thanks.