India Holds Back on Reviving Russia-India-China Framework

Quick Summary

• Date and Context: India on July 17, 2025, addressed the potential revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) mechanism.
• official Stance: India’s ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that any revival would depend on mutual convenience among the three nations.
• Russian Initiative: Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko expressed moscow’s intent to resume RIC discussions and said it is engaging with Beijing and New Delhi on this matter.
• Chinese Position: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian voiced support for reactivating RIC cooperation, emphasizing its benefits for regional stability and progress.
• Historical Background: The RIC framework previously involved periodic foreign ministerial meetings to discuss regional and global issues but has been inactive due to Covid disruptions and the India-China border standoff.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discussion around reviving the Russia-India-China (RIC) mechanism underscores evolving dynamics in trilateral relationships in a region marked by strategic complexities. While China backs Moscow’s push for resuming talks under RIC, India’s cautious approach appears rooted in practical considerations tied to mutual convenience. The historic tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control could be a contributing factor delaying engagement.

For India, participating actively in mechanisms like RIC would require alignment with both immediate geopolitical priorities (e.g., securing borders) and broader strategic interests. This pragmatic stance reflects an effort to balance cooperative dialog while safeguarding national interests amid unsettled bilateral ties within this triad.

Read more here.