The News Channel, 12/21/98; MOSCOW: (Agencies) - On Monday, December 21, Russia called for a strategic triangle with India and China, and its defense minister urged closer military cooperation between former Soviet republics after U.S.-British air attacks on Iraq.

U.S. and British air strikes against Iraq have dealt a new humiliating blow to Russia's superpower ambitions, exposing Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov to pressure at home to review Moscow's entire foreign policy.

But many political analysts say that the Russian economic crisis, a lack of political consolidation at home and Moscow's declining role in world affairs strongly limit its ability to force any major shift in international priorities.

Primakov, visiting India, and Defense Minister Igor Sergeyev took a firm line after Russia's bitter criticism of the four-day blitz by bombs and missiles.

But another leading general said that while military cooperation with London and Washington could be affected, Moscow did not expect relations with the NATO military alliance as a whole to be soured.

Primakov made clear Russia would not back down from its condemnation of the strikes, and would be equally critical of any new offensive against Baghdad in the future.

"We will never change our position. We are very negative about the use of force bypassing the Security Council," he said in comments during a visit to New Delhi. He said Russia, China and India should form a "strategic triangle" as a counterweight to U.S. influence in the world.

The decision by the United States and Britain to launch air raids without seeking approval from the U.N. Security Council infuriated Russia, which jealously guards its position as a permanent Security Council member. After the bombing ended on Saturday, President Boris Yeltsin said common sense had prevailed but added that a profound review of international relations was now necessary.

Russia recalled its ambassadors to London and Washington for consultations as a sign of protest last week. The gesture was considered bold but largely symbolic.