…BUT NO DEFENSE ALLIANCE IS PLANNED.

Gujral also denied rumors that Russia and India are planning to form a defense alliance as a means of counter-balancing NATO. He emphasized India’s status as a non-aligned country and also the extensive economic ties that have developed between India and both the U.S. and Europe. On another topic, Gujral and officials accompanying him said that Indian Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda would soon visit Moscow — possibly in late March or early April. (Interfax, Itar-Tass, February 12)

Russian Air Defense Chief Cool on Merger.