Russia, India, China talk to build trust and counter terrorism

Smita Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11

Amid heavy security and barricading in the capital to keep away Tibetan protesters, Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China (RIC) met on Monday in an effort to find common positions on contentious and crucial issues.

Discussions focussed on global economy, terrorism, transnational organised crime, climate change, political scenario in Middle East, North Africa and the Afghan and Korean situation.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stressed that the fight against terrorism should be united and there must not be any kind of compromise in this regard. 

“I put across my view that significant rise in acts of terrorism by terrorist organisations like Taliban, Daesh (ISIS), al-Qaeda and LeT directly undermine international peace and security and endanger ongoing efforts to strengthen the global economy and ensure sustainable growth and development,” remarked Sushma Swaraj. 

Terrorism found substantial play in the joint communiqué issued after the talks. Without naming and shaming Pakistan-based terror masterminds and outfits, the communiqué said, “We stress that those committing, organising, inciting or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with the obligations under international law, including the principle of "extradite or prosecute” as well as the applicable domestic legislations.”

“We agree to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists and terror entities,” the joint release further added. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi informed his dialogue partners about the 19th Communist Party Congress developments. In veiled remarks dismissing allegations around One Belt One Road, Wang Yi stressed that China believes ‘Connectivity projects should complement not conflict with each other’ and is ‘committed to work with other countries for an inclusive world’. 

“We underline the importance of establishment of a just and equitable international order based on international law and featuring mutual respect, fairness, justice in international relations,” the communiqué said while pitching for dialogue instead of external force to resolve ongoing global crises. The RIC also sought a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict.

Sushma Swaraj also held separate bilateral dialogues with Wang Yi and Lavrov. With the Chinese the main objective was to look at ways to bridge the trust deficit that was widened post the Doklam standoff. 

“Foreign Minister Wang Yi and I agreed that we should further strengthen our mutual trust to develop a better understanding between the two parties. And it will be better to meet again and without agenda, which will help us to expand our mutual understanding,” said Swaraj.