India has adopted a cautious approach regarding the potential revival of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral framework, emphasizing that any resumption of the dialogue would hinge on the mutual convenience of all three nations. This stance follows renewed interest from Moscow and Beijing in revitalizing the long-inactive platform.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the issue, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal describing RIC as a consultative format where the three countries convene to discuss global and regional issues of shared interest. Jaiswal stated that scheduling of any potential RIC meeting would be worked out among the three countries in a mutually convenient manner, without providing a specific timeline. Official sources have indicated that no RIC meeting has been agreed upon, and discussions regarding its scheduling are not currently underway.

Russia has been actively advocating for the resumption of the RIC format. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko stated that Moscow is in negotiations with both Beijing and New Delhi on this issue, expressing interest in making the format functional due to the three countries being important partners and founders of BRICS. Rudenko added that Russia anticipates the countries agreeing to resume work within the RIC framework when relations reach a level conducive to trilateral cooperation.

China has also voiced support for the revival of the RIC mechanism. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that cooperation among China, Russia, and India not only serves their respective interests but also helps uphold peace, security, stability, and progress in the region and the world. Lin added that China is ready to maintain communication with Russia and India to advance trilateral cooperation.

The RIC framework has faced inactivity in recent years. Work within the format was initially stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently by the India-China military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh in 2020. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously cited the pandemic and the border crisis as reasons for the hiatus.

The renewed interest in the RIC format emerges against the backdrop of recent high-level engagements between the three nations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit to China for the SCO foreign ministers' meet, where he held discussions with his counterparts Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov, exemplifies these engagements. Furthermore, a cautious normalization process has been underway following a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan.

Experts suggest that Russia is keen to stabilize the trilateral dynamic, considering India's growing defense and strategic ties with Western countries, including the Quad and the European Union. The potential revival of the RIC mechanism could strengthen collaboration between India, Russia, and China on regional and international matters. However, the future of the RIC framework remains uncertain, pending a consensus among the three nations.