Russia Pushes for Revival of Russia-India-China (RIC) Bloc: A New Eurasian Chapter?

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Russia Pushes for Revival of Russia-India-China (RIC) Bloc: A New Eurasian Chapter?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday (May 29, 2025) expressed Moscow's strong desire to reactivate the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format, which has been dormant since the 2020 Galwan crisis. Lavrov emphasized the historical significance of RIC and believes the time is right for its revival, citing improved India-China border understanding. He also accused NATO of attempting to draw India into anti-China strategies.

Is the Russia-India-China (RIC) Partnership Poised for a Comeback? Moscow Says "Yes!"

In a significant development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has voiced a keen interest in bringing the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format back to life. Speaking at an international conference in Perm on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Lavrov underlined Moscow's "genuine interest in the earliest resumption" of this powerful troika.

The RIC format, established many years ago on the initiative of former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, has a rich history, boasting over 20 ministerial-level meetings, not just for foreign policy chiefs but also across various economic, trade, and financial agencies. This demonstrates the broad scope and potential of this cooperative platform.

A Thaw in India-China Relations Paves the Way?

The RIC troika has been on ice since the unfortunate Galwan crisis in June 2020, which significantly strained India-China relations. However, Lavrov believes the landscape has shifted. "As of today, as I understand, an understanding has been reached between India and China on how to ease the situation on the border," he stated, adding, "it seems to me that the time has come for the revival of this RIC troika."

This optimistic outlook from Moscow follows a notable bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. That meeting was widely seen as a positive step, with both leaders reportedly expressing a desire to improve their bilateral ties.

NATO's Alleged "Anti-China Intrigues" and India's Position

Beyond the call for RIC's revival, Lavrov also didn't shy away from making a pointed accusation against NATO. He alleged that the Western alliance is "blatantly trying to lure India into anti-China intrigues." Lavrov expressed confidence that "our Indian friends... obviously see this trend that can be actually deemed as a large provocation," based on his "confidential conversations with them."

This statement highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play and Russia's perspective on attempts to influence India's foreign policy alignments.

What Does the Future Hold for RIC?

The Russian Foreign Minister's statements are a clear signal of Moscow's desire to see the RIC format re-energized. The trilateral grouping holds immense potential for fostering greater cooperation and stability in Eurasia, particularly in a multipolar world. With hints of an easing in India-China border tensions, and Russia's strong advocacy, the coming months could see renewed diplomatic efforts to bring the Russia-India-China troika back to the forefront of international discourse. Only time will tell if this powerful alliance is indeed on the cusp of a new chapter.

(Source-The Hindu)