In a significant diplomatic development, Russia has called for the revival of the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, signalling that the time is ripe to reinvigorate this strategic grouping. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made this pitch at a major Eurasian political conference in Perm, emphasising Moscow’s “genuine interest” in resuming the RIC format, which has been inactive since the deadly Galwan Valley clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020.
Lavrov stated that the RIC troika, initiated by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, has organised more than 20 ministerial-level meetings since its inception. These meetings have involved not just foreign policy chiefs but also heads of economic, trade, and financial agencies from the three countries. However, the format was put on hold after the Galwan crisis, which led to a sharp deterioration in India-China relations.
The Russian minister’s renewed call comes at a time when there are signs of thawing tensions between New Delhi and Beijing. Lavrov highlighted that India and China have reached a mutual understanding on easing border tensions, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. This encounter was widely seen as a step towards normalising strained ties.
Lavrov said, “As of today, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to ease the situation on the border, and it seems to me that the time has come for the revival of this RIC troika.” He underlined the importance of the RIC platform in building a single and equitable system of security and cooperation in Eurasia.
Western Interference
At the same time, Lavrov raised concerns about what he called Western interference, alleging that NATO is attempting to draw India into anti-China schemes. He remarked, “I have no doubts that our Indian friends, and I say this on the basis of confidential conversations with them, obviously see this trend that can be actually deemed as a large provocation”. This reflects Moscow’s broader vision of resisting divisive external pressures and building a more cooperative security structure across Eurasia.
RIC
The RIC format, since its institutionalisation in the early 2000s, has aimed to enhance cooperation not only in foreign policy but also in economic and security matters. The three countries have significant influence in the Eurasian region and are seen as key stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability in Asia. The RIC has also served as a platform for opposing unilateralism and discussing global security challenges through political, social, and economic perspectives.
Experts note that while the RIC has made some progress in dialogue and coordination, concrete cooperation programmes have lagged behind compared to other multilateral mechanisms. However, the potential remains strong, especially in areas like energy security, regional connectivity, and economic integration. Russia, as an energy surplus country, and China and India, as energy-deficient economies, could benefit from joint projects to improve Asia’s overall energy security.
The trilateral’s revival would also have implications for other regional groupings, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS, where India, Russia, and China are key players. The RIC’s ability to speak with one voice on major global issues could enhance their collective influence in international forums.
For India, the challenge remains to balance its strategic interests between Russia and China, especially as it continues to deepen ties with the United States and other Indo-Pacific partners. While the recent easing of border tensions with China is a positive sign, New Delhi is expected to proceed cautiously, keeping its national interests at the forefront.
