Important Key Points (For SSC & Other Govt Exams)

• Russia-India-China (RIC) format may be revived after being frozen since Galwan clash in 2020.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Russia’s interest in restarting the RIC troika.
• RIC was initiated by Yevgeny Primakov, former Russian PM.
• India and China have reportedly reached understanding on border tensions.
• Lavrov accused NATO of trying to involve India in anti-China moves.
• A major Modi-Xi meeting occurred during BRICS Summit 2024 in Kazan, Russia.

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Exam-Focused Organisation/Country Details

Russia

• Capital: Moscow
• President: Vladimir Putin
• Currency: Russian Ruble
• Ural Mountains: Natural boundary between Europe and Asia
• Important City Mentioned: Perm (Conference location)

China

• Capital: Beijing
• President: Xi Jinping
• Currency: Renminbi (Yuan)
• Contested Region: Galwan Valley, Ladakh

India

• Capital: New Delhi
• Prime Minister: Narendra Modi
• Recent Diplomatic Event: BRICS 2024 in Kazan (Meeting with Xi Jinping)

NATO

• Full Form: North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• Founded: 1949
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Members: 32 (Including USA, UK, Germany)

RIC

• Full Form: Russia-India-China Troika
• Founded: 2001 (First meeting)
• Initiated by: Yevgeny Primakov
• Purpose: Strategic cooperation among the 3 powers

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Complete Details (In Easy Language)

On May 29, 2025, during an international conference held in Perm, Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed strong interest in restarting the Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue, also called the Troika Format.

Lavrov mentioned that this trilateral format, started by former Russian PM Yevgeny Primakov, had previously conducted over 20 ministerial-level meetings involving not just foreign affairs but also economic and financial coordination.

However, the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 between India and China caused a halt in RIC activities. Since then, tensions on the LAC (Line of Actual Control) led to a freeze in diplomatic cooperation among the three nations.

Now, Lavrov believes the time is right to revive the RIC, especially as India and China have reportedly reached an understanding to ease border tensions. This view is supported by the Modi-Xi Jinping meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan (Russia) in October 2024, where both leaders agreed on the need to improve relations.

Lavrov also claimed that NATO is trying to manipulate India into forming anti-China alliances, which he described as a “provocation”. However, he expressed trust in India’s ability to maintain strategic independence.

This development, if successful, may lead to a more balanced and cooperative Eurasian region, especially outside the influence of Western military alliances like NATO.

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Possible Questions for Exams (MCQs)

1. Who initiated the Russia-India-China (RIC) dialogue format?
a) Vladimir Putin
b) Jawaharlal Nehru
c) Yevgeny Primakov
d) Xi Jinping
Correct Answer: c) Yevgeny Primakov

2. In which city did Sergey Lavrov speak about reviving the RIC format in May 2025?
a) Kazan
b) Moscow
c) Perm
d) Sochi
Correct Answer: c) Perm

3. What major event led to the freeze of RIC dialogue in 2020?
a) Doklam standoff
b) Galwan Valley clash
c) BRICS disagreement
d) SCO breakdown
Correct Answer: b) Galwan Valley clash

4. What is the full form of RIC?
a) Russia-India-China
b) Regional India-China
c) Russian Indo-China
d) Republics of India-China
Correct Answer: a) Russia-India-China

5. Which international alliance was accused by Russia of trying to involve India in anti-China activities?
a) SCO
b) BRICS
c) QUAD
d) NATO
Correct Answer: d) NATO