Jaishankar to participate in meeting with foreign ministers of China, Russia

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 17

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will participate in a trilateral India-Russia-China Foreign Ministers’ meeting via video conference on June 23, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastav said here on Thursday.

The RIC meeting will exchange views on the global, political and economic situation as well as the opportunities for cooperation to overcome the existing crises, he added.

The announcement was made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova in Moscow at a press briefing on Wednesday but India’s participation was not known in view of the recent clash with Chinese troops.

Russia had taken the initiative for the RIC meeting as the format is currently under its Presidency.

Separately, Russia has welcomed the de-escalation at the Line of Control (LAC). “We welcome all steps at de-escalation of the LAC including the conversation between the two Foreign Ministers and remain optimistic,” said Russian Ambassador to India Nikolai Kudashev.

Analysts feel Russia can emerge as an honest mediator and the RIC as well as the SCO format could contribute to the lowering of tensions between the two sides.

Kudashev said the existence of RIC is an undisputable reality and “as for the current stage of the trilateral cooperation there are no indication that it might be frozen”.