New Delhi: Russia today (Jan 28, 2004) called for a "substantive and more central" role of the UN in Iraq, stressing this must be independent and in no way subjugated to subserve someone's interest.

"Russia wants a more substantive and more central role of UN in Iraq. This role must be independent. It should in no way be a subjugated role and sub-serving someone else's interest," visiting Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri V Fedotov told reporters.

He said to make this a reality, "new approaches and strategy" will have to be evolved.

To a question, he said both India and Russia have commonality of views on Iraq. He said if weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) were discovered in Iraq, these would have to be confirmed by the relevant international agencies.

Asked about the prospects of a strategic partnership between India, Russia and China, he said all the three countries share the values that promote multilateralism and multi-polarity in international relations.

He said Moscow enjoyed an extremely independent partnership with India and was advancing its partnership with China.

Enhanced co-operation among the three countries would be an "important step" toward multilateralism and multi-polarity, he said.