Russia-India-China Foreign Ministerial Meeting

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Search 11^th December 2017 http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx

TOPIC: General Studies 2

• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

In news: India’s foreign minister met its counterparts from Russia and China to discuss on deepening coordination in the Asia-Pacific region. Along with bilateral and regional talks, various global issues came up for discussion. All the three ministers met in the Delhi and their statement reflects their position on all major issues- political, security and economic that affect the world today. This meeting is termed to be positive as it reiterates goodwill among the three countries. This is the first high level delegation from China since the doklam crisis.

Issues on the foray

Terrorism and extremism. India has been for long making the case that there is state sponsored terrorism from the neighbourhood which is affecting India. The menace of terrorism and the issue of extremism has been dealt in the joint statement. Countries which are aiding, abetting and supporting terrorism, action should be taken against them.

However, at times though statements are made in multilateral and regional fora but countries when they act on a bilateral basis, or in their individual capacity, then they do not abide by these commitments. For instance, behavior and action of China is seen as far as designating Masood Azhar as global terrorist in the UN list of terrorists.

Thus in this backdrop, the statement is significant. But it is also important to ensure that whatever the commitment is made, it should be carried out not only in words but also in action and deed.

Though particular terrorist organisation names were not taken, the significance of it being considered is also taken into account.

New partnership- The QUAD. This is a strategic partnership between India-Japan-Australia-USA. According to some, this partnership is keeping in mind China’s aggressive approach. The group vouches for open, inclusive, free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Where the term indo pacific has been used by the Quad, in the RIC meet, it was Asia-Pacific as China is vary of the phase Indo-Pacific.

Here also, open and inclusive Asia Pacific was used which shows the significance of maritime trade and based on principles of multilateralism and UN charter. Thus in substance, India is able to reiterate the importance of the free and open. Apprehension about China’s aggression and the way they are exhibiting themselves in the international arena, especially in the South China Sea, it gets checked a little when there are tri-laterals.

Bilateral issues

This provides forum to all the three countries to get together and have a dialogue together as well as bilaterally. There are many issues which cause strain in the India-China relationship- NSG, OBOR, especially CPEC and Pakistan’s actions controlled by China.

Reforms in UNSC as it no longer represents the present world order. China has been significant block in India realizing its ambition of becoming permanent member of UNSC when other permanent members have indicated support for India’s membership.

Other important observations

• No mention of US acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel capital
• JCPO- Join comprehensive plan of action with Iran which US is not going to abide
• North Korea- its missile plan and its nuclear activity has a brief mention. This shows that two large neighbours, China and Russia are not petrified or anxious about it.

Conclusion

Russia and China are seen developing close bilateral ties against the backdrop of the two developing tensions with the US for separate reasons. In contrast, there seems to be growing convergence between India and US which were for long on opposite sides. This is the reason why India-Russia relations seem stressed. Yet, India and China should fast track 7,200km-long International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) linking India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia with Europe. This will be a game changer for India- bilaterally in improving relations with Russia, regionally as it reaches other countries and globally for being able to carve a way out despite a road block.

Simultaneously, India has to continue engaging with China in all fora and try to put pressure and have dialogue with China.

Connecting the dots:

• Russia-India-China trilateral format is priority for these countries despite being part of BRICS and SCO.