‘Open to reviving Russia-India-China Trilateral Talks‘
New Delhi, Jul 17: India has pushed back against NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s recent warning of secondary sanctions over its trade with Russia, firmly defending its energy policy and cautioning against what it called “double standards.”
Rutte, during his remarks in Washington DC, warned India, China, and Brazil that they could face harsh secondary sanctions if they continue economic relations with Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Reacting to the comments, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India’s energy procurement is driven by national interest and prevailing global market dynamics. We urge against any double standards in this matter.”
Jaiswal emphasized that ensuring energy access for Indian citizens remains a top priority. Responding to queries about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning of a 100% tariff on Russian exports and potential penalties for countries doing business with Moscow, he noted that India is “closely following all developments.”
India, China, and Brazil continue to be major buyers of Russian crude despite Western sanctions. Rutte’s call for pressure on President Vladimir Putin was accompanied by Trump’s renewed threats of heavy trade restrictions unless a peace deal is reached within 50 days.
Trump had also threatened additional tariffs on BRICS nations, including India, for pursuing what he described as anti-American policies. India, however, reiterated its independent stance, saying ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. and European Union are progressing steadily.
Jaiswal confirmed that India-U.S. trade talks are “ongoing” and the 12th round of India-EU FTA negotiations was held recently in Brussels, with the next round scheduled for September in New Delhi.
India also expressed openness to reviving the long-dormant Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral dialogue. The MEA said any decision would depend on a “mutually convenient” schedule.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Deputy FM Andrei Rudenko have been vocal about reactivating the RIC format, originally designed for strategic consultations between the three nations. Rudenko confirmed that Moscow is in active talks with both New Delhi and Beijing.
The RIC framework has been inactive due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 military standoff between India and China in Eastern Ladakh. However, with renewed diplomatic outreach, including recent high-level meetings involving External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, signs of thawing relations are emerging.
China has also supported the idea of resuming RIC talks, stating that the format serves the broader interests of regional and global stability. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that trilateral cooperation aligns with the goals of peace and progress in the region.
Experts believe the growing Russian and Chinese interest in the RIC format is driven by India’s increasing closeness to Western alliances like the Quad, and its deepening economic ties with the European Union. Analysts note that RIC could offer a counterbalance and foster dialogue in Eurasia amid ongoing geopolitical shifts.
