28-Jul-2020: RIC, a triangle that is still important

In the light of growing calls for a more decisive westward shift in India’s foreign policy, the article analyzes the relevance of continued engagement with China and Russia.

Even amid the tensions on the Line of Actual Control between India and China, India decided to attend a (virtual) meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC).

This move was criticized by some sections amid calls to drastically reduce India’s engagement with the Chinese and align with the West led by the U.S. to counter the Chinese.

28-Jun-2019: Translation of Prime Minister's opening remarks at the informal summit of 'Russia-India-China' (RIC) leaders on the margins of G-20 Summit 2019

Your Excellencies and my friends President Xi and President Putin,

We three countries had a summit level meeting last year in Argentina.

After the useful exchange of views on the major issues of the world, we agreed to meet again in the future.

I am very happy to welcome you to this RIC Informal Summit today.

As the world's leading economies, exchange of views between us, on the economic, political and security situation of the world is important. Our trilateral meeting today is a useful medium for discussing and coordinating on major global issues.

We had exchange of views on many issues in the meeting of our Foreign Ministers in China in February this year. It included promotion of counter-terrorism, international hot-spot issues, reformed multilateralism, climate change and cooperation under RIC.

Now I request His Excellency, President Xi to make his opening remarks.

(After the opening remarks by President Xi)

Thank you President Xi.

Now I request His Excellency, President Putin for his opening remarks.

Thank you President Putin.

Disclaimer: PM's remarks was delivered in Hindi. This is an approximate translation of the speech.

22-Feb-2020: 16th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China in Wuzhen (February 27, 2019)

External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj will travel to Wuzhen, China to participate, together with the host Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi and the Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov, in the 16th Russia-India-China (RIC) Foreign Ministerial Meeting being held on 27 February 2019.

The Ministers are expected to exchange views on the global situation, regional developments of common concern, address global challenges such as terrorism and discuss trilateral exchanges and activities. It may be recalled that the last RIC Foreign Ministerial Meeting had been held in New Delhi on 11 December 2017.

EAM is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov and the Chinese Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi on the margins of the RIC meeting.