China Backs Revival of Russia-India-China Trilateral Cooperation

China Supports RIC Initiative

Guwahati, July 18: On Thursday, China voiced its endorsement for Russia's efforts to rejuvenate the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral framework, emphasizing that such cooperation benefits not only the three nations but also contributes to regional and global security and stability.

According to a report from a Russian news outlet, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that Moscow is optimistic about reinstating the RIC format and is currently in discussions with both Beijing and New Delhi regarding this matter.

Rudenko remarked, "This subject is part of our discussions with both countries. We are keen on making this format operational, as these three nations are significant partners and also the founding members of BRICS."

He added, "Thus, the lack of this format seems inappropriate. We anticipate that the nations will agree to resume activities within the RIC framework, particularly when their relations reach a level conducive to trilateral collaboration."

In response to Rudenko's statements during a media briefing, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, reiterated that the trilateral cooperation serves the interests of the three nations while also promoting peace, security, stability, and progress globally.

Lin expressed China's readiness to engage in ongoing communication with Russia and India to further enhance trilateral cooperation.

The renewed interest from Russia and China in reviving the RIC follows External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to China for the SCO Foreign Ministers meeting, where he engaged in discussions with high-ranking Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov noted that joint efforts within the RIC framework were hindered initially by the pandemic and subsequently by the military standoff between India and China in Eastern Ladakh in 2020.

This standoff led to a prolonged freeze in India-China relations, which only began to thaw following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan last year.

Since that meeting, there has been a consistent dialogue aimed at normalizing relations between the two countries.

Jaishankar's recent visit came on the heels of trips by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to China.

Lavrov mentioned in May that Russia, which maintains strong ties with both India and China, is "genuinely interested" in the revival of the RIC format, recalling that the trilateral mechanism initiated by former Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov led to 20 meetings among the three nations at various levels.

The three countries played a pivotal role in establishing BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and the New Development Bank (NDB), which now comprises ten members.

However, various issues, including the escalating rivalry between India and China and Beijing's unwavering support for Pakistan in its anti-India endeavors, have diminished the RIC's significance.

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in Russian and Chinese interest in revitalizing the RIC, particularly as India has joined the Quad alliance, which includes the US, Japan, and Australia, and is perceived by Beijing as a coalition aimed at curbing its influence.