IRIA News

Foreign Ministers of Russia, China, and India held a virtual meeting on November 26, to discuss regional and global issues.

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov participated in the 18th Russia-India-China Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting that was held under the Russia-India-China trilateral framework was chaired by Jaishankar; and focused on key regional and global issues.

After the meeting, China, Russia, and India released a joint communique, highlighting the consensus reached between the three countries on a broad range of international issues.

Russian, Chinese, and Indian foreign ministers also discussed the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and pledged to engage in joint efforts to combat drug smuggling in the region.

The joint communique read: “Expressing concern over deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the Ministers called for immediate and unhindered humanitarian assistance to be provided to Afghanistan.”

“The spread of illicit drug trafficking in opiates and methamphetamine from Afghanistan and beyond… poses a serious threat to regional security and stability and provides funding for terrorist organizations,” the statement added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that “China, Russia and India are major countries with global influence and the most representative emerging market economies. The three countries share common interests and similar positions in promoting world peace, stability and development, and shoulder important missions and responsibilities. Facing profound changes unseen in a century, the choices made by China, Russia and India not only affect our respective interests, but will also affect the direction of human progress.”

During the meeting, Wang made five proposals on further strengthening trilateral cooperation, including practicing multilateralism to oppose all forms of zero-sum game and “new Cold War” schemes, respect the legitimate rights and interests of all countries and their rights in selecting their own development paths, strengthening global cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and promote post-pandemic economic recovery, and jointly tackle hot issues through dialogue.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ statement read: “The ‘Summit for Democracy’ organized by the United States draws lines based on one country’s standards and creates divisions and confrontations, which will only bring negative energy to the world. The United States regards itself as a world leader and requires all countries to follow its leadership, which violates the democratization of international relations. The practice of democracy varies according to national conditions and cannot be a template or a standard. The needs and aspirations of the people are the starting point and ultimate goal of democracy. China, Russia and India have all embarked on the development paths suited to our respective national conditions. We have the responsibility to foster a correct concept of democracy in the world, get out of the “democracy trap” by certain country, and oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs under the pretext of democracy.”

During the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar agreed that strengthening the solidarity and cooperation of the three countries is aligned with the construction of a multi-polar world and has also played a positive role in promoting the world peace and economic growth.

The foreign ministers also highlighted that the three countries should firmly maintain the core position of the United Nations, uphold the principle of sovereign equality, and support truly effective multilateralism.

“Under the current circumstances, the three countries should step up coordination, speak with one voice, unleash the potential of trilateral cooperation, and jointly tackle global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and terrorism,” the statement added.

Russia and India supported China in assuming the rotating presidency in 2022, and expressed their willingness to work with Beijing to take the 20th anniversary of the meeting “as an opportunity to further enhance the level and influence of China-Russia-India cooperation”.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov also emphasized that the so-called free and open Indo-Pacific region is not an equal partnership. Lavrov stated that the tradition of the Asia-Pacific region is “inclusiveness and harmony”, and the diversity of regional countries should be promoted. Lavrov also indirectly criticized the United States for forming various “small cliques” and disrupting the regional strategic balance.