New Delhi, July 17, 2025: India has taken a cautious and non-committal stance regarding the revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral mechanism, despite renewed calls from Moscow and open support from Beijing to restart the format.

Responding to media queries during a routine weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that no RIC meeting has been agreed upon, and there are no discussions currently underway about scheduling such a meeting.

Russia and China Keen, India Not Yet on Board

Earlier the same day, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed strong backing for Russia’s recent initiative to bring the RIC format back into active diplomatic use. The ministry claimed that the mechanism serves not just the interests of the three countries but also contributes to broader regional security and global stability.

“This consultative format is a mechanism where the three countries come and discuss global issues and regional issues of interest to them,” Jaiswal clarified in New Delhi. He added that any engagement under this mechanism is subject to mutual convenience and consensus among the participants.

While the MEA did not reject the idea outright, the tone was clearly measured and cautious, signalling India’s strategic reservations or prioritisation of bilateral formats over multilateral ones, especially involving China.

Background of the RIC Framework

The RIC framework was conceived in the late 1990s as a geopolitical dialogue platform among three major Eurasian powers — India, Russia, and China — with a shared focus on a multipolar world order, regional security cooperation, and economic coordination.

However, the format has seen limited activity in recent years, with rising tensions between India and China, especially following the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020 and subsequent border standoff in eastern Ladakh. These developments dampened India's enthusiasm for grouping formats that included China.

The last notable engagement under RIC occurred in June 2020, when a video conference of the three foreign ministers was held to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. But since then, no high-level trilateral engagements have taken place, and India has largely focused on QUAD and bilateral relations with Russia and Western allies.

China’s Push and Russia’s Initiative

The latest push reportedly came from Russia, which is keen to revive the trilateral channel to reinforce its presence in the Indo-Pacific and maintain its balancing role amid escalating China-U.S. tensions and its own isolation from the West due to the Ukraine war.

In response, China has publicly voiced its support. "We support the Russian proposal to revive the RIC mechanism. It helps the three major countries enhance communication and coordination, promoting regional peace and development," a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated on Thursday.

India’s reaction, however, remained diplomatically neutral, reflecting the complex strategic dynamics at play.

India’s Strategic Calculus

India’s measured response is not surprising. New Delhi has, in recent years, sought to diversify its diplomatic engagements, strengthening its role in groupings like QUAD (with the US, Japan, and Australia) and IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) while carefully managing its border tensions with China and long-standing partnership with Russia.

Additionally, analysts say the current trust deficit between New Delhi and Beijing, especially post-Galwan, undermines the credibility and effectiveness of trilateral formats like RIC.

“India does not want to be seen legitimising a strategic dialogue format that includes China unless the border situation stabilises and mutual trust is restored,” said Dr. Radhika Rao, a geopolitical analyst based in Delhi.

Future of the RIC Mechanism

Given India’s stand, the immediate future of the RIC format remains uncertain. While Russia and China may continue to pitch for its revival, India appears unwilling to move forward unless specific conditions are met, including improved bilateral relations with China and assurance of balanced, issue-based discussions that serve India’s core interests.

There is also speculation that India may wait for greater clarity on global alignments, especially after the U.S. elections in November 2025, and how Russia-China relations evolve in the context of Ukraine, Taiwan, and Indo-Pacific geopolitics.

Conclusion: Delhi Adopts Wait-and-Watch Approach

India’s non-committal stance on the revival of the RIC framework reflects its current strategic caution and diplomatic prudence in dealing with complex trilateral formats, particularly those involving China.

As of now, no meeting is on the horizon, and the message from New Delhi is clear: India will proceed only when all three sides find it mutually beneficial, and when the geopolitical context is more favourable for constructive dialogue.

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