‘Time Is Ripe’: Russia Bats For Revival Of India-Russia-China Trilateral Dialogue [Watch]

New Delhi: In a significant diplomatic pitch, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called for the revival of the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue, asserting that “the time has come” to reinvigorate the strategic troika.

Speaking at a plenary session during a major Eurasian political conference in Perm—a city straddling the boundary of Europe and Asia—Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s “genuine interest” in resuming the RIC format, which he recalled was initiated by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and has seen over 20 ministerial-level meetings to date.

Lavrov highlighted that the RIC framework had not only engaged foreign policy leaders but also the economic, trade, and financial authorities of the three regional powers. However, the format had stalled following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, which sharply deteriorated India-China relations.

Now, with what Lavrov described as a mutual understanding between New Delhi and Beijing on easing border tensions, he believes conditions are ripe for restoring trilateral cooperation. “It seems to me that the time has come for the revival of this RIC troika,” he stated.

The Russian minister also raised concerns about Western interference, alleging that NATO is attempting to drag India into anti-China schemes. Drawing from private diplomatic exchanges, Lavrov said Indian officials are aware of such provocative overtures, which he characterized as part of a broader geopolitical ploy.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that India and China have reached an understanding to ease border tensions, and he believes it’s time to revive the Russia-India-China partnership. pic.twitter.com/EWhMAH9omX

— IndiaWarMonitor (@IndiaWarMonitor) May 30, 2025

The renewed call comes amid signs of thawing tensions, especially after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. That encounter, while brief, was widely interpreted as a step toward normalizing strained ties.

Moscow’s push for the RIC revival underscores its broader vision of building a more equitable and cooperative security structure across Eurasia—one that leverages traditional partnerships while resisting divisive external pressures.