Biratnagar: The visiting Russian Federation diplomat, Dr. Nikolay Listopadov has said that his country’s approach towards the new American proposal-the NMD- is not rigid.

“We have exhibited our flexibility towards this NMD proposal and that we are at the moment in ‘consultation process’.

Dr. Listopadov made these remarks talking to a select group of media men here at the Hotel Xenial last Saturday evening. Elaborating the Russian Federation position regarding the New Missile Defence scheme advanced recently by the BUsh administration, Dr. Listopadov said: ” Neither we reject it, nor have accepted as yet. However, after a series of consultations with the Americans, we will come out with our views on the matter”.

To queries of the media men, the Russian envoy hinted that the “NMD demanded a change in its overall approach so that it becomes acceptable to all”. Commenting on Indian support to the NMD, Dr. Listopadov made it apparently clear that since the times have changed so it is only but natural that we differ on certain matters of global interest.

To recall, India has already hinted the United States that it is not averse to their new proposal that is the NMD.

However, Indian foreign policy experts of the stature of J.N.Dixit have said that India’s ready acceptance to the NMD scheme has only surprised many brains in India. He however, has forwarded his remarks suggesting the Indian establishment to remain ’cautious’ to the US proposal.

Notably, since the visit of President Bill Clinton to India last year, Indian establishment apparently prefers not to annoy the United States for obvious reasons. However, India’s “relations” with the Russian Federation continues to be excellent.

Nepalese intellectuals wonder as to how the Indian establishment could “satisfy” the two super powers concurrently on issues of the sort of the NMD where the RF has yet to come to terms with the US.

China and Pakistan have out rightly rejected the NMD saying that it would act like a catalyst for the proliferation of nuclear arms race in the region and the world.

Nepal, the sick country in South Asia, has perhaps even not heard of this US proposal for obvious reasons.

The branch office of the Telegraph weekly in Biratnagar had organized the press gathering.