Despite ongoing border tensions between China and India, and Russia's confrontation with the West, signals suggest a potential revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue format. Moscow has pushed for its return, with both India and China expressing openness to communication.
The potential revival of the Russia-India-China dialogue could reshape regional dynamics and offer an alternative to US-centered alliances, particularly as Asia navigates multiple overlapping forms of multilateralism.
The Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue is re-emerging in diplomatic discussions, with Moscow actively pushing for its revival. While no summit is immediately planned, India has responded with cautious openness, and China has indicated a willingness to maintain communication on trilateral cooperation. This renewed attention comes despite ongoing border disputes between China and India, and Russia's strained relationship with the West. The RIC format, last convening foreign ministers virtually in 2021 and leaders at the G20 summit in 2019, still holds political symbolism. Although current geopolitical alignments, including US-centered security architectures like the Quad and AUKUS, might suggest an unlikely moment for revival, the complex multilateral landscape in Asia means the RIC triangle warrants further consideration.