Moscow, May 30, 2025: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed a strong desire to reinvigorate the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format during an international conference in Perm, located in the Ural Mountains where Europe meets Asia.
Addressing delegates at a session focused on establishing a unified and equitable security and cooperation framework in Eurasia, Lavrov emphasized Russia's commitment to resuming active engagement within the RIC framework. Established years ago at the initiative of former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, this trilateral platform has facilitated over 20 ministerial-level meetings involving foreign policy, economic, trade, and financial officials from the three nations.
Lavrov highlighted recent progress on easing tensions between India and China along their shared border, noting that this development presents an opportune moment for reactivating the trilateral dialogue. "The time has come for the revival of this RIC troika," he stated.
He further accused NATO of attempting to draw India into alliances aimed against China, describing such efforts as provocative. Citing private conversations with Indian counterparts, Lavrov expressed confidence that India recognizes and resists these provocations.
The RIC mechanism has been inactive since the June 2020 Galwan Valley incident that severely strained India-China relations. However, the bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024 signaled a thaw, with both leaders underscoring the importance of improving bilateral ties.
The proposed revitalization of RIC cooperation aligns with broader regional aspirations for a balanced and cooperative security architecture across Eurasia.
