India Open to Reviving Trilateral Talks with Russia, China
India has expressed openness to engaging in a trilateral dialogue with Russia and China, potentially reviving the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) summit mechanism. This renewed willingness aligns with the upcoming BRICS summit scheduled for July 6–7 in Brazil, where leaders of all three nations will be present. If realized, it would mark the first such engagement under the RIC framework since 2019.
The RIC format, once seen as a platform for regional power coordination, has remained inactive amid increasing tensions, particularly following the India-China standoff in Galwan in 2020. However, recent diplomatic developments suggest a renewed interest in dialogue, driven by shifting global alignments and the desire for strategic autonomy.
Russia Advocates for Trilateral Engagement
Russia has taken the lead in pushing for the reactivation of RIC-level cooperation. The Russian leadership views the current geopolitical moment as ideal for rebuilding the trilateral platform, especially as bilateral tensions between India and China show signs of stabilizing. Moscow sees the RIC format as a way to counterbalance Western-dominated multilateral structures and promote a multipolar global order.
With shared interests in issues like counterterrorism, energy security, and global governance reform, Russia believes that bringing India and China back to the table could yield meaningful regional coordination.
India’s Strategic Balancing Act
India’s response to the possibility of a RIC summit underscores its broader foreign policy approach—maintaining strategic autonomy while engaging all major powers. India continues to deepen partnerships with Western allies through platforms like the Quad and I2U2, while also preserving historic ties with Russia and engaging China diplomatically, despite ongoing border disputes.
Participating in a RIC meeting does not signal a shift in alliances but highlights India’s intent to keep all diplomatic avenues open. For India, trilateral engagement provides an opportunity to voice concerns directly, build common ground on issues like regional stability, and prevent alignment pressures from overwhelming its independent foreign policy choices.
Forward Path for Trilateral Cooperation
If the RIC summit is revived on the sidelines of the BRICS meet, it could pave the way for a calibrated resumption of joint initiatives in areas like climate action, infrastructure, energy trade, and regional security frameworks. It also offers a space for bilateral de-escalation talks within a trilateral cushion.
India’s participation in such a dialogue, while cautious, reflects its pragmatism in navigating an increasingly complex world order. The prospect of a reactivated RIC framework may not immediately resolve outstanding issues, but it signals a readiness to manage differences through structured diplomacy rather than isolation.
