Though there is no shift in the oft-repeated positions of Russia, Canada, Australia or New Zealand on nuclear disarmament, the gap that had developed in their relations with India last year is narrowing. In his talks with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh today, Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy reportedly reiterated his country's known position on disarmament, but in a somewhat subdued manner.

And, on his meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, Jaswant Singh said ``the chill that had set in post-May, 1998 is now off.''

The head of the Australian foreign office is expected to visit India shortly to prepare the ground for Downer's visit later.

The Australian Foreign Minister said India hadshown great ``restraint'' in Kargil and hoped that the Lahore spirit would be revived.

Singh, for his part, informed Downer about his telephone conversation with India's Director General of Military Operations today during which he learned that Pakistani intruders from the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir had withdrawn.

At the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) too, the criticism on the issue of nuclear disarmament that was voiced at the last meeting in Manila, was not evident this time. India had to disassociate itself from the final statement at Manila.

Singh, who also met Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, said he was told that the documents relating to a `strategic relationship' between New Delhi and Moscow were ready and will be signed during the visit of President Boris Yeltsin to India later this year.

Speaking to members of the 10 Plus 10 (10 ASEAN members and 10 dialogue partners of ASEAN), the Russian Foreign Minister said Moscow viewed as ``irresponsible' any military actions aimedat changing the status quo in Kashmir.