Moscow: Justifying growing bonhomie with Pakistan in recent years, Russia has clarified that Moscow-New Delhi strategic partnership is not built at the cost of India's neighbours.

"Maybe, for the first time in last 10 years, acting pragmatically Russia has extended its hand to Pakistan. Meeting of President (Vladimir) Putin and (Pakistan President Pervez) Musharraf (in Feb, 2003) has outlined the main course of our interaction.

"Of course, India is our strategic partner. But this partnership is not built at the cost of India's neighbours," Russia's first Deputy Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Trubnikov said in an interview published today (may 12, 2004) by 'Nezavisimaya Gazeta'.

He said India "is a prevailing country in the subcontinent. She also should not suppress, but take into account the interests of its all neighbours, be it Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka."

Although the problem of cross-border terrorism still existed, he expressed happiness that India and Pakistan were moving towards greater mutual understanding.

"For the first time in many years a base has emerged for the leaders of the two countries to talk seriously, realising that terrorism is a threat for both the sides," Trubnikov noted, replying to a question about Moscow's unwillingness to mediate between the South Asian neighbours.

Trubnikov, a former KGB intelligence officer in South Asia in 1970s-1980s, said that during his Bangladesh stint, he was aware of top Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan's clandestine activities.