The Russia-India-China (RIC) partnership is rooted in the ideas of former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, who believed in a strong “troika” to counterbalance the US’s dominance after the Cold War. Primakov was the first leader from the P-5 nuclear countries to visit India back in December 1998, shortly after India’s nuclear tests at Pokhran-II.
Today, Russia remains a major global power with a large nuclear arsenal and a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. However, its global influence is seen as declining by the US, especially compared to China. Russia now positions itself as a nation working to protect its interests internationally, moving away from the Soviet Union’s goal of transforming the world.
In June, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov highlighted the importance of the special strategic partnership with India, praising Primakov’s vision of the Russia-India-China (RIC) group. Lavrov explained that the RIC has met regularly, though recent disruptions caused by the pandemic and border tensions between India and China have paused its activities. Now, with tensions easing, Russia hopes to revive the group.
The RIC group has held at least 18 meetings among foreign ministers and three informal summits for leaders, with the last in 2019 in Saint Petersburg. These three nations together control nearly 19% of the world’s land and produce about 33% of global GDP. All three are part of important international groups like BRICS, SCO, and G20, and they oppose unilateral actions by powerful countries. Instead, they promote a multipolar world, advocating for fairness and reforms in global institutions. The RIC also champions South-South cooperation, giving a voice to the Global South and pushing back against Western dominance.
At this week’s SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, India, Russia, and China reaffirmed their strategic partnership despite differences. Each country approaches issues like global multipolarity, counter-terrorism, and regional ties in its own way, but they share a foundation of mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized their friendship, saying, “We three friends,” signaling their united front on global issues.
Collectively, these three countries have more than three billion people—about 37% of the world’s population. India has recently overtaken China to become the world’s most populous country. Their combined influence is growing: India’s share of global GDP is expected to reach 10% by 2025 and over 11% by 2030. Relations between India and the US have soured due to tariffs and conflicts over buying Russian energy and weapons, pushing India to look for new strategic partners.
Meanwhile, ties between India and China are slowly improving after clashes in the Galwan Valley in 2020, although long-standing border disputes still exist. India’s move to engage more with both powers could be a way to balance influences and maintain its strategic autonomy in a complex world.
For the RIC to become a stronger force, India and China need to rebuild trust and respect, especially given their border issues and strategic rivalries. Recent talks suggest both nations want to reset relations, but old suspicions remain.
During the Tianjin summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Chinese President Xi Jinping that India is committed to developing stronger trade and investment ties. Modi also stressed the importance of peace along the border and addressing the trade deficit, which currently stands at nearly $99 billion.
India’s participation in RIC can boost its multi-alignment policy, helping it balance China’s influence and strengthen its position in Eurasia. Although there are big opportunities for cooperation, challenges remain due to conflicting interests among the three countries.
Overall, the RIC group aims to promote conflict-free cooperation at a time when global politics are becoming more competitive and uncertain. Recent US actions, especially under former President Trump, have added to the chaos, affecting areas like energy, climate policy, regional infrastructure, and supply chains.
Experts believe that a revived and strengthened RIC could offer a powerful alternative to US-led global dominance, shaping a more balanced and multipolar world. Building trust and collaboration among these nations is crucial for addressing shared challenges and shaping the future geopolitics.
(This analysis is provided by an expert on South Asia and Eurasia, drawing from experience at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.)
