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The Diplomat
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Diplomat
Is the Russia-India-China Troika Making a Comeback?
In May, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Moscow was interested in reviving the Russia-India-China (RIC) troika. Speaking at a security conference on May 29, Russia's top diplomat said 'I would like to confirm our genuine interest in the earliest resumption of the work within the format of troika – Russia, India, China,' noting that the format, since its launch had 'organized meetings more than 20 times at the ministerial level… not only at the level of foreign policy chiefs, but also the heads of other economic, trade, and financial agencies of three countries.' The idea of triliteral cooperation was first floated in the 1990s and was institutionalized in 2002, which Lavrov credited to Yevgeny Primakov, the late chair of the Russian International Affairs Council. Since then, as the Russian foreign minister pointed out, the RIC had convened nearly two dozen times – but not in the recent past. The last meeting of the RIC leaders took place in 2019 on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. Before that, the leaders of three countries held an informal summit on the sidelines of the G-20 meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The RIC troika has been inactive since November 2021, following a virtual meeting of the RIC foreign ministers. Initially, the format was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was further stalled by the military standoff between China and India in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. However, with China-India relations undergoing a relative thaw, Russia now appears to be keen on reviving the trilateral grouping. In this context, last week, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stated that he was in negotiations with both Beijing and New Delhi on the revival of the RIC troika. 'This topic appears in our negotiations with both of them,' Rudenko said. 'We are interested in making this format work because these three countries are important partners. The absence of this format, in my opinion, looks inappropriate.' This manifests the clear Russian push to revive the troika, which could provide Moscow with a platform to advance and secure its national interests. Besides Russia, China has also shown interest in the RIC's return. Responding to a question regarding Russia's intentions to revive the bloc, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said that 'China is willing to maintain communication with Russia and India to advance trilateral cooperation.' He added, 'The cooperation among China, Russia, and India not only aligns with the respective interests of the three countries, but also contributes to regional and global peace, security, stability, and progress.' In light of Beijing's regional rivalry with New Delhi, Moscow believes that India is being drawn into the West's anti-Chinese strategies. Reviving the troika format would enable Beijing to have more direct contact with New Delhi and potentially allay concerns about India joining the 'China containment' bloc. India, on the other hand, as of now, seems non-committal on the revival of the RIC format. When asked about the group's revival, Randhir Jaiswal, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, gave a bland answer: 'This consultative format is a mechanism where the three countries come and discuss global issues and regional issues of interest to them.' He continued: 'As to when this particular RIC format meeting is going to be held, it is something that will be worked out among the three countries in a mutually convenient manner, and we will let you know as and when that happens at an appropriate time when the meeting is to take place.' Indian media sources report that no RIC troika meeting has been agreed upon, and there are currently no discussions about scheduling a meeting in this format. Still, given the slow but steady progress on normalizing relations between China and India in recent months, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to Beijing, the revival of the RIC troika is quite plausible. Russia, struggling with sanctions over its war in Ukraine, would go to any length to revive this bloc. China's support would certainly provide a boost to Russian ambitions and interests. Russia's strategic relations with both China and India can play an important role vis-à-vis the format's revival and Moscow will hope to successfully bring both countries to the table. However, the role of the U.S., particularly under President Donald Trump, may be the most significant factor for the revival of the RIC troika. Since his return to the White House, Trump has resumed his strategy of imposing tariffs, which has sparked a trade war, particularly with China. His protectionist ideals do not align with those of India, as ongoing tariff uncertainties could harm New Delhi's economic and political interests. The last meeting among the RIC leaders in Osaka in 2019 took place under a similar context. Back then, India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, stated, 'All three leaders have agreed that in an era of economic and global change, it is important to uphold the trend of globalization. Maintaining the liberalization of trade, a free trading system, an open trading system, and a rules-based trading system is essential to counter the tendency toward protectionism.' While the situation and circumstances may not be exactly the same as they were in 2019, Trump's trade strategy remains unchanged, which could lead to the revival of the RIC troika. Together, China, India, and Russia could form a Eurasian power that balances Western dominance. These three countries are already part of organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which are also seen as efforts to counter Western influence. The RIC troika could certainly contribute to the promotion of a multipolar world with multiple centers of power, potentially undermining Western dominance. But for this to occur, all three countries must discuss their global and regional priorities. Until that happens, the RIC troika will remain in a state of uncertainty.
Memri
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Russian Expert Kortunov: 'Israel-Iran Confrontation Is, To Some Extent, Even Beneficial To Russia'
In an article for the Russian media outlet Kommersant, titled "Middle East Challenges for Moscow," Russian political scientist and Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) Andrei Kortunov examines the broader strategic implications of the Israel-Iran conflict for Russia, arguing that the situation presents many opportunities for Moscow while being fraught with serious risks. Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC), political scientist Andrei Vadimovich Kortunov (Source: "Dialog" public organization) Following is Kortunov's article:[1] "Any Escalation In The Middle East Region Will Automatically Lead To An Increase In World Prices For Hydrocarbons, Including Russian Ones" "If one were to set aside humanitarian considerations and start to reason extremely cynically, then one could assume that a new round of Israeli-Iranian confrontation is, to some extent, even beneficial for Russia. "First, it is obvious that any escalation in the Middle East region will automatically lead to an increase in world prices for hydrocarbons, including Russian ones. "The larger the scale of the hostilities – which may even include a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by Tehran – the higher the global demand for Russian oil and gas will be. "Second, any Middle East escalation diverts the attention of Moscow's adversaries from the Ukrainian issue and changes the priorities of Western military aid programs. "It is not difficult to predict the intensification of disagreements regarding the Middle Eastern agenda between the United States and its European allies, which again meets Russia's interests. "Third, considering our allied relations with Tehran, Russia could theoretically act as an impartial mediator between the conflicting parties, helping to de-escalate the crisis, if not resolve it. In doing so, Moscow would strengthen its influence in the region after the fall of the Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad." "Hope That The Differentiation In Assessments Of Israel's Actions Will Not Provoke An Acute Crisis In Russo-U.S. Relations" "However, the ongoing escalation also carries serious risks and potential costs for Moscow. "The fact remains that Russia was unable to prevent a large-scale Israeli strike against a state with which it signed a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement five months ago. Moscow is clearly not prepared to provide Iran with military assistance, though not limiting its political statements condemning Israel's actions. "Furthermore, the escalation in the Middle East is fraught with additional difficulties in the dialogue with the U.S. Vladimir Putin condemned the Israeli actions, wherein Donald Trump supported them, although without confirming Washington's involvement. "One can only hope that the differentiation in assessments of Israel's actions will not provoke an acute crisis in Russo-U.S. relations, considering that Putin and Trump have plenty of other hot topics to discuss. "In the long term, the risks for Moscow can only grow, provided that Israel's main goal is not to curb Iran's nuclear program or even to change Iran's regional behavior, but to change the political regime in the country. [The country's] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated this goal in his June 14 address to the Iranian nation. Such a prospect is fraught with a new threat to the Kremlin, as a change in the political orientation of the current Iranian government, provided it happens one day, could make Tehran less favorable towards Moscow. Fortunately for Iran's international partners, Israel ambitious goal looks unattainable for now. "If the Iranian regime is destined to collapse, it will only happen as a result of deepening contradictions and conflicts within the ruling elite and society. However, the margin of safety of the Islamic Republic's institutions remains very large. What's more, Israel's actions at the current stage will only contribute to the consolidation of authorities and society."
Russia Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Forum highlights Russia's role in shaping multipolar global order
Foreign policy experts have highlighted the emergence of a multipolar world order and noted Russia's central role in shaping it. The remarks were made during a major international academic conference in Moscow on Thursday. Speaking at the forum, which was titled 'New World Order: Formation of a Multipolar World and the Role of Russia', State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Leonid Slutsky stated that Russia is actively promoting a new model of international relations. This new world order, based on multipolarity and mutual respect, will allow for the creation of a safe and stable global architecture, according to the lawmaker. He noted that these trends contrast with those pursued by the so-called 'golden billion,' who seek to maintain their own hegemony and risk drawing humanity into World War III. 'Russia plays a central role in building a new, fair world order,' Slutsky said. The deputy also stressed that the UN should remain the cornerstone of global politics, but, in order to remain relevant, it should be adjusted to account for the realities of today. Also at the forum, Ivan Timofeev, the director general of the Russian International Affairs Council, said that Europe is facing a profound political and security crisis and that 'the old European system of collective security has ceased to function.' He suggested that the principles that once underlined Europe's security framework have eroded, and that a new, broader Eurasian security model will be established in the near future. This model, unlike its predecessor, will function on the basis of equal cooperation among all members of the Eurasian space and will not presuppose any sort of hierarchy, Timofeev said. The event, hosted by the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of World History, brought together scholars, diplomats, and public figures. Discussions centered on the decline of Western dominance and the expanding influence of regional organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 'I am confident that the new world order will be multipolar, with the leading role of the UN, with a single and indivisible security space,' Slutsky concluded in his speech, noting that 'the point of no return has been passed.'
Times of Oman
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Russian President Putin accepts invite to visit India, Foreign Minister Lavrov says preparation on
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India, as confirmed by Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, Russian news agency TASS reported. While addressing the "Russia and India: Toward a New Bilateral Agenda" conference through a video, Lavrov said that India is currently making arrangements for the visit of the Russian President. The conference is jointly hosted by the Embassy of India in Russia and the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC). The Russian Foreign Minister stated that Putin will be visiting India following the invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who made his first foreign visit to Russia following re-election in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. "[Russian] President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit from the Indian head of government. A visit by the Russian head of state to the Republic of India is currently being prepared," Lavrov said as quoted by Russian News Agency Tass. Last year in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia on the invitation of Russian President Putin to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. Earlier in February, TASS reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Russia for the May 9 parade at Moscow's Red Square to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic Wa. As per the military source cited by TASS, the visit by the PM has a "high probability". "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a visit to the May 9 parade in Moscow. It is highly likely that it will take place," the agency's source said, TASS reported. As per the military source cited by TASS, it was noted, "The issue of participation in the parade on Red Square of a ceremonial unit of the Indian armed forces, which should arrive at least a month [before the parade] for rehearsals, is also being worked out."
Russia Today
27-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Putin to visit India
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make an official visit to India and preparations for the event are underway, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Thursday. Lavrov revealed the plan during a video address to participants of the Russian International Affairs Council conference 'Russia and India: Towards a new bilateral agenda.' 'It is symbolic that Prime Minister Narendra Modi made Russia his first foreign visit following his re-election last year. Now, it's our turn to return the gesture,' the top Russian diplomat stated. Modi invited Putin to visit his country for their next bilateral meeting during last year's BRICS summit in Kazan. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov had previously stated that an invitation had been received and that Putin planned to visit India in 2025. In January, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that India and Russia are working on finalizing a timeline for Putin's visit. READ MORE: Modi likely to attend Victory Day parade in Moscow – TASS The Russian president last visited India in December 2021, before the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. The most recent meeting between Putin and Modi took place in July last year when the Indian prime minister visited Moscow. Modi traveled to Russia for a second time in October, to take part in the BRICS summit in Kazan. During the visit he highlighted Russia's contributions to promoting multilateralism, sustainable development, and global governance reforms. Last month, TASS cited sources in India's military circles claiming that Modi is 'very likely' to attend this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9 – which marks the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in World War II. India has maintained strong relations with Russia, despite Western pressure related to the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi has opted not to join Western sanctions against Moscow and has expanded economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector. India is now one of Russia's largest oil buyers, with bilateral trade exceeding $65 billion in the 2023–24 financial year — a fivefold rise from 2021. The countries have set a target of boosting trade to over $100 billion by 2030.
