RIC 2.0: Could This Trio Challenge America’s Global Supremacy?

In a fresh diplomatic maneuver, Russia has openly pushed to revive the long-dormant RIC (Russia-India-China) forum. Speaking at a security conference in Perm on May 29, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that it’s time to resume RIC meetings. This comes amid growing global discourse on a multipolar world order, where Russia and China are seeking to balance out the influence of Western powers—especially the United States. Lavrov’s call to reactivate RIC aligns with this strategy, signaling renewed momentum in non-Western strategic alignments.

What is RIC and Why It Matters?

The concept of RIC was proposed in the late 1990s by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov. The goal was to create a platform to counterbalance the U.S.-led unipolar global structure by bringing together three major Asian powers. Between 2002 and 2020, RIC saw over 20 ministerial-level meetings, covering foreign policy, trade, and security cooperation. However, after the Galwan Valley clash between India and China in 2020, the forum became largely inactive.

Why Now? Signs from the BRICS Summit

Following a brief exchange between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS summit in Kazan, tensions appeared to ease slightly. Sensing this opportunity, Russia is pushing to revive RIC as a platform for Asian collaboration, beyond Western influence. Lavrov has also expressed concern over NATO and QUAD alliances, accusing them of destabilizing Asia. In his view, RIC could serve as an “Asian solution to Asian problems,” resisting Western interference.

India at a Diplomatic Crossroads

India faces a diplomatic balancing act. While it is a strategic partner of the U.S. and a core member of QUAD, its participation in RIC signals strategic autonomy and multipolar engagement. A revived RIC would send a message that India is not confined to one geopolitical bloc, but is open to cooperating with both Western and Eastern powers. However, India’s unresolved border tensions with China remain a significant obstacle. It’s unclear how far New Delhi is willing to go with a revived RIC format.

What’s at Stake for the U.S.?

Russia’s push to resurrect RIC is not just symbolic—it is a part of its long-term Eurasian strategy to reduce dependency on U.S.-led institutions. A working RIC could reshape global diplomacy by providing an alternative power axis to Washington’s influence. If India, Russia, and China find common ground despite their differences, the RIC could become a major geopolitical headache for Washington, particularly at a time when the U.S. sees India as central to its Indo-Pacific strategy.

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