While the Defence Minister of India was in Russia for his three-day visit, a meeting of Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China was convened on June 23, 2020. This Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral video conference also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, as well as the foundation of the United Nations.

“Russia, India and China will stand against any counterproductive actions, illegitimate use of force and interference into domestic affairs by other states and will continue coordinating efforts on multilateral forums,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. His remarks came after a video conference with his Indian and Chinese counterparts Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Wang Yi respectively.

“Russia, India, China to oppose destructive actions of other states. I confirm our support to the Indian initiative of adopting Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism”, said Lavrov.

Lavrov stated, “the parties in detail reviewed the situation on the world arena mainly through the prism of the coronavirus epidemic outbreak but also more broadly. We acknowledged that the pandemic significantly affected many aspects of international relations, dealt a massive blow to global economy and tangibly reduced inter-personal contacts in general."

Lavrov stated, “the parties in detail reviewed the situation on the world arena mainly through the prism of the coronavirus epidemic outbreak but also more broadly. We acknowledged that the pandemic significantly affected many aspects of international relations, dealt a massive blow to global economy and tangibly reduced inter-personal contacts in general."

Sergey #Lavrov at FM's videoconference of Russia, India, China: I confirm our support to the Indian initiative of adopting Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism pic.twitter.com/SVdkGpr7EB

— Russia in India (@RusEmbIndia) June 23, 2020

He also went on to add, “in this context, we expressed concerns about destructive policies of a number of states aimed at demolishing the architecture of global security established in the post-war period, with the UN Charter being its cornerstone as it has been and still is. We believe that unilateral actions, illegitimate use of force, interference into domestic affairs of sovereign states and attempts to extraterritorially apply national legislations are counterproductive."

External affairs minister Jaishankar stated the need to recognise the “legitimate interests of partners”, along with respecting international law, is key to building a durable world order.

But the challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their practice. The leading voices of the world must be exemplars in every way. Respecting international law, recognising the legitimate interests of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good are the only way of building a durable world order,” Jaishankar added.

Jaishankar made his opening remarks talking about India’s contribution in the Great Patriotic War. “The victory over Nazism and Fascism was achieved through sacrifices across many theatres by many countries. India made a significant contribution, with 2.3 million of its citizens under arms and 14 million more participating in war production. Indian blood was shed at the battlefields of the world, from Tobruk, El Alamein and Montecassino, to Singapore, Kohima and Borneo. We helped keep key supply lines open to both your countries, one through the Persian corridor and the other over the Himalayan hump. If Indian personnel were conferred the Order of the Red Star, the medical mission led by Dr.Kotnis was a legend in China.” This he said, adding that the marching of India’s military contingent through the Red Square would be an affirmation of the difference that the nation made.

He continued further, highlighting that when the victors met to fashion the ensuing global order, the political circumstances of that era did not give India due recognition. “This historical injustice has stood uncorrected for the last 75 years, even as the world has changed. Therefore, on this momentous occasion, it is important for the world to realise both the contribution that India made and the need to rectify the past.”

Thank FM Sergei Lavrov for convening the Russia-India-China (RIC) Meeting of Foreign Ministers today. A productive exchange of views on the global order, multilateralism, multipolarity and convergences.

My opening remarks: https://t.co/kcQn1qKVSy pic.twitter.com/Pn9sQgKwOE

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 23, 2020

But beyond history, Jaishankar also underlined that the international affairs must also come to terms with contemporary reality. “We, the RIC countries, have been active participants in shaping the global agenda. It is India’s hope that we will also now converge on the value of reformed multilateralism. This Special Meeting reiterates our belief in the time-tested principles of international relations. But the challenge today is not just one of concepts and norms, but equally of their practice.The leading voices of the world must be exemplars in every way. Respecting international law, recognising the legitimate interests of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good are the only way of building a durable world order,” Jaishankar added.

The Russian minister also emphasised close work of the three states in G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). "Of course, our three countries in the UN coordinate their steps on many issues. This coordination will be increasingly in demand in the next two years, as India assumes its seat as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-2022," Lavrov stressed.

Wang Yi emphasised that China, Russia, and India are all big countries that insist on strategic autonomy. “We should grasp the overall cooperation situation of the three countries as partners and opportunities. Starting from the common interests of promoting the development of the three countries and safeguarding the world’s peaceful development, we should correctly treat and properly handle the sensitive factors in bilateral relations and maintain the overall situation of mutual relations,” he added.