There must be merits and strengths. But the formation RIC -- Russia, India and China have problem areas too.
The three countries reacted differently to the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, the subsequent war in Gaza, and the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2024.
These differences have been evident at the BRICS and SCO forums, hindering the consensus required for joint statements.
The Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue was initiated in the late 1990s by Russia to combat what it perceived as a U.S.-dominated unipolar world.
However, the RIC has seen waning cohesion due to internal tensions (specifically border issues between India and China) and Russia's intense focus on the war in Ukraine, leading some to consider it a "closed chapter" or at least a less effective forum.
There is another element Israel’s developing ties with RIC countries (specifically India and Russia) are viewed as a way to hedge against potential U.S. military or economic withdrawal from the Middle East.
But the 'RIC factor' has a spin. It allows Israel to project a more independent foreign policy, enabling it to act against Iran or regional threats even when U.S. administrations are cautious.
The US seeks to preserve its global hegemony by keeping emerging and regional powers, - these RIC members weakened through economic means. Hence, it is opposed to connectivity projects such as the Chinese-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Russian-backed INSTC, and the Indian-financed Chabahar Port project.
It may be argued that Washington pressurised India into exiting the Chabahar Port project shortly before the outbreak of the war. The ongoing war will be a big time global game-changer of the new century.
It goes without stating that Iran is a great geopolitical prize for any great power, and hence the Americans are seeking to seize the prize.
At the same time, for geo-political reasons; Washington has paved the way for Israel’s regional hegemony.
The complexities have many shades. Three RIC member nations are involved in negotiations with the Trump administration, but there is little alignment in their positions.
India and China are navigating trade talks to sustain economic ties but have to 'prevent relations' from deteriorating further. Moscow at times is against Washington and at times want to seek to appease Trump to secure favourable outcomes vis-a-vis Ukraine.
In more ways than one; Moscow, New Delhi, and Beijing could cooperate in various geographies -- Central Asia, Arctic and the Russian Far East. The areas of cooperation could be from energy and agriculture to investment and transport/infra connectivity.
But this would require a greater degree of trust between India and China and it's not on the table always. Moreover, there is 'sanction' against Russia and this complicates operation and cooperation often.
But in geo-politics. ifs and buts make a lot of difference.
A US failure in Iran, after similar experiences in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya, could erode US prestige and credibility.
In turn; this would strengthen the conception of the Russian- and Chinese-backed multipolar world order instead of its own unipolar world order.
Look how things have evolved. Those who tried new experiments -- benefited mostly.
In the 1990s; China was still wary of a suspected US role in the Tiananmen incident, and hence it opted for a better relationship with both Russia and India.
India was open to the idea of 'fighting' the unipolor world of the 1990s. New Delhi under Vajpayee especially was keen to protect its strategic autonomy, exercised in instances such as resisting pressure to accept the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, CTBT.
On the other hand; in response to US unipolarity -- the concept of the RIC as a platform for a doctrine of multipolarity was born. Then Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov favoured Russia to challenge perceived American efforts to shape its post-Soviet future.
But India went a step further and rightly so on merits. It made common cause with the US, Australia and Japan in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
After this ongoing battle; a few more phases of transitions are on cards. Israel will gain importance and so will be I2U2.
ends
Red Square- Moscow - AFP snap (social media)
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