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News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
Why Is Moscow Pushing To Revive The Russia-India-China Troika Now?
Last Updated: Moscow has renewed its call to revive the Russia-India-China trilateral, dormant since the 2020 Galwan clash. But its timing and what it stands to gain tell a bigger story THE BIG PICTURE For the first time since 2020, Russia has openly called for reviving the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral format. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a security conference in Eurasia in the city of Perm on May 29, said the 'time has come" to restart RIC meetings, adding that, in his view, India and China have reached an understanding on easing border tensions. 'I would like to confirm our genuine interest in the earliest resumption of the work within the format of the troika — Russia, India, China — which was established many years ago on the initiative of (ex-Russian prime minister) Yevgeny Primakov, and which has organised meetings more than 20 times at the ministerial level since then, not only at the level of foreign policy chiefs, but also the heads of other economic, trade and financial agencies of the three countries," Lavrov was quoted as saying by TASS. Big Statement by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov says 'it seems to me that the time has come to revive this Russia, India & China Troika" — Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) May 30, 2025 The RIC platform, originally launched in the late 1990s, has remained dormant since the deadly Galwan clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in June 2020. While Russia had hinted at trilateral engagement during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in 2024, Lavrov's latest pitch marks the most explicit call to formally revive the RIC mechanism since Galwan. Lavrov's renewed pitch signals much more than just a procedural revival — it reflects Moscow's shifting diplomatic calculus amid changing global alignments. So, why now? What is driving Russia's push? And where does India fit into this strategic triangle? Here's a detailed look. The RIC grouping was first proposed by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov as part of Moscow's vision for a multipolar world order. Over the years, it has convened more than 20 times at various levels, bringing together foreign ministers, trade officials, economic agencies, and security experts from the three Asian powers to foster dialogue on a range of issues. However, after the Galwan clash led to a sharp deterioration in India-China relations, the platform effectively went dormant. WHY IS RUSSIA PUSHING NOW? A Tentative Thaw Between India and China The primary obstacle to RIC's functioning has always been India-China tensions. However, the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 2024) marked a significant shift. The two leaders reached an understanding aimed at easing the border standoff along the Line of Actual Control, which had remained a major flashpoint since the 2020 Galwan clash. The widely circulated handshake between Modi and Xi was also seen as a public signal of improving ties. Russia sees this tentative easing of tensions as an opening to revive RIC, hoping that both Delhi and Beijing may now be more receptive to moderated dialogue under Moscow's watch. Russia's Growing Anxiety Over India's Western Alignment Since Galwan, India has steadily deepened its ties with the United States, Japan, Australia — particularly through the Quad — as well as newer groupings like I2U2 and multiple Western defence partnerships. This growing alignment with Western powers, especially in defence, technology, and supply chain domains, has deepened Moscow's anxieties about India drifting further into the Western camp. For Russia, reviving RIC offers a way to keep India engaged within a non-Western multilateral space, while allowing Moscow to retain its role as a balancing player between its two key Asian partners. The NATO Factor: A Direct Warning Lavrov directly accused NATO of attempting to 'lure India into anti-China intrigues", describing it as a 'large provocation" that India is fully aware of. This is one of Russia's clearest acknowledgements of how it views NATO's expanding interest in the Indo-Pacific region and India's growing engagement with Western security groupings. Through RIC, Moscow is signalling its desire to keep India engaged in Eurasian multilateralism and prevent it from being drawn too deeply into the US-China competition. The Ukraine war and sweeping Western sanctions have pushed Russia to deepen its engagement across Asia. However, as Moscow's economic and diplomatic dependence on China has grown, so too have its long-term strategic concerns about being overly reliant on Beijing. By seeking to revive RIC, Russia is attempting to balance its Asian partnerships, maintain diplomatic space with India, and continue projecting itself as an independent power centre within the evolving Eurasian order. With India's growing global profile and China's rise, Russia risks being increasingly sidelined in Asia's strategic balance. The revival of RIC allows Moscow to project continued relevance as a power capable of influencing dialogue between Asia's two major players. It also aligns with Russia's broader vision of strengthening non-Western institutions that can serve as alternatives to Western-led alliances. WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR INDIA? For India, this renewed Russian pitch presents both opportunities and challenges. While New Delhi maintains strong historical ties with Moscow, deep distrust persists with China due to unresolved border disputes. India's foreign policy rests on its ability to maintain strategic autonomy, avoiding being locked into any single camp, whether Western or non-Western. If RIC discussions are revived, India could engage while continuing to maintain its partnerships with the United States, Quad members, and other emerging alliances. THE BOTTOM LINE Lavrov's call to revive RIC is about more than simply restarting old meetings. It reflects Russia's broader effort to navigate shifting global alignments, counterbalance growing Western influence in Asia, and reassert its diplomatic weight as a Eurasian power broker. For India, the revival of RIC is another test of its ability to walk the tightrope between multiple global partnerships, unresolved regional tensions, and its long-standing pursuit of strategic autonomy. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : galwan clashes india russia china Sergey Lavrov Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 15:25 IST News explainers Why Is Moscow Pushing To Revive The Russia-India-China Troika Now?
Tokyo Reported
22-05-2025
- Tokyo Reported
Shizuoka couple suspected of smuggling cocaine, meth, ketamine in mail
AICHI (TR) – Law enforcement has arrested a couple living in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture over the alleged smuggling of cocaine, methamphetamine and ketamine from Spain via international mail, reports NHK (May 21). According to Nagoya Customs, Colombian national Joel De Moya Duque Said, 54, and his wife, 29-year-old Rina Kikuchi, have been accused of violating the Stimulants Control Act. In March, the couple are suspected of smuggling 200 grams of cocaine, 100 grams of kakuseizai (methamphetamine) and 50 grams of the hallucinogenic drug ketamine through an envelope and bag mailed from Spain for commercial purposes. The illegal drugs have a combined street value of more than 10 million yen. Police have not revealed whether the two suspects have admitted to the charges, citing it would be an obstacle to the investigation. Police are investigating how the drugs were obtained.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates pitcher Jared Jones to undergo season-ending elbow surgery
Jared Jones was overshadowed by teammate Paul Skenes last season among Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitchers. But while Skenes builds on his success after winning National League Rookie of the Year, Jones' fledgling MLB career has hit a major obstacle. The Pirates' right-hander will undergo surgery on his right elbow and miss the remainder of the 2025 MLB season. Depending on the procedure performed, it's likely Jones will be sidelined for most of the 2026 campaign as well. Whether Jones needs Tommy John surgery or another reconstructive procedure such as internal brace surgery has not yet been determined, according to Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister will perform the procedure on Jones' "right elbow/forearm complex," the team said. Jones' rookie numbers weren't as flashy as Skenes', and he didn't make the NL All-Star team or place in the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year voting because of it. Nonetheless, he had a respectable season for the Pirates, compiling a 4.14 ERA and 6-8 record with 132 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings. However, Jones suffered a sprain to his right ulnar collateral ligament during spring training. After several imaging exams and consultations with multiple doctors, the ligament was determined to be intact and surgery wouldn't be necessary. Jared Jones just threw one of nastiest pitches you will see all season. 😮 — MLB (@MLB) April 22, 2024 Jones, 23, began tossing in April after six weeks of rest and progressed to throwing out to 100 feet. The hope was that he could begin throwing from a mound by the end of May. Yet Jones' elbow still didn't feel good. Following a consultation with Dr. Meister, surgery was recommended. 'When a professional athlete is committed to a process, whether it's surgery, committing to a new plan, that they have to have that in the front of their minds that 'this is the best decision' and at that point, Jared wasn't ready for that," Tomczak explained, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We didn't think it was the right thing or appropriate. By we, I mean all of us, that was a necessary step," he added. "Through that process, through the last six weeks, what we learned is Jared yesterday shared with us that he can no longer continue to build back into competition without proceeding with surgery.' Jones' season-ending surgery is the latest dose of bad news during a miserable season for the Pirates. At 16-33, Pittsburgh has the second-worst record in the NL (and fourth-worst in MLB). Manager Derek Shelton was fired two weeks ago. Additionally, the team alienated the family of Roberto Clemente and longtime fans by removing a tribute to the Hall of Famer in favor of an advertisement. The season has also faced tragedy with a fan falling over the outfield wall and onto the warning track at PNC Park. He continues to be hospitalized with injuries to his skull, spine, lungs, ribs and brain.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pirates pitcher Jared Jones to undergo season-ending elbow surgery
Jared Jones was overshadowed by teammate Paul Skenes last season among Pittsburgh Pirates rookie pitchers. But while Skenes builds on his success after winning National League Rookie of the Year, Jones' fledgling MLB career has hit a major obstacle. The Pirates' right-hander will undergo surgery on his right elbow and miss the remainder of the 2025 MLB season. Depending on the procedure performed, it's likely Jones will be sidelined for most of the 2026 campaign as well. Advertisement Whether Jones needs Tommy John surgery or another reconstructive procedure such as internal brace surgery has not yet been determined, according to Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister will perform the procedure on Jones' "right elbow/forearm complex," the team said. Jones' rookie numbers weren't as flashy as Skenes', and he didn't make the NL All-Star team or place in the NL Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year voting because of it. Nonetheless, he had a respectable season for the Pirates, compiling a 4.14 ERA and 6-8 record with 132 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings. However, Jones suffered a sprain to his right ulnar collateral ligament during spring training. After several imaging exams and consultations with multiple doctors, the ligament was determined to be intact and surgery wouldn't be necessary. Jones began tossing in April after six weeks of rest and progressed to throwing out to 100 feet. The hope was that he could begin throwing from a mound by the end of May. Yet Jones' elbow still didn't feel good. Following a consultation with Dr. Meister, surgery was recommended. 'When a professional athlete is committed to a process, whether it's surgery, committing to a new plan, that they have to have that in the front of their minds that 'this is the best decision' and at that point, Jared wasn't ready for that," Tomczak explained, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We didn't think it was the right thing or appropriate. By we, I mean all of us, that was a necessary step," he added. "Through that process, through the last six weeks, what we learned is Jared yesterday shared with us that he can no longer continue to build back into competition without proceeding with surgery.' Advertisement Jones' season-ending surgery is the latest dose of bad news during a miserable season for the Pirates. At 16-33, Pittsburgh has the second-worst record in the NL (and fourth-worst in MLB). Manager Derek Shelton was fired two weeks ago. Additionally, the team alienated the family of Roberto Clemente and longtime fans by removing a tribute to the Hall of Famer in favor of an advertisement. The season has also faced tragedy with a fan falling over the outfield wall and onto the warning track at PNC Park. He continues to be hospitalized with hospitalized with injuries to his skull, spine, lungs, ribs and brain.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Some international students say it's ‘too late' to return to US
After the government terminated his legal status in the U.S., one student abruptly lost his laboratory job in Houston and, fearing detention, he returned to his home country in South Asia on a one-way ticket. The Trump administration later reversed course in its expansive crackdown on international students, but there was a major obstacle: The student cannot return because his American visa has been revoked. Without it, he's 'stranded,' said the student, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. As the government begins reinstating students' records, many face a daunting and complicated path toward rebuilding their lives. For those who left, there is no guarantee they can return. Others have faced challenges reenrolling in school and returning to jobs. Mental anguish from their ordeals lingers, as do feelings of vulnerability. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has expanded the grounds for terminating a student's legal status, leaving many to fear they could be targeted again. A total of more than 4,700 international students had their permission to study in the U.S. canceled this spring, with little notice or explanation. In court hearings, Department of Homeland Security officials said they ran the names of student visa holders through an FBI-run database that contains the names of suspects and people who have been arrested, even if they were never charged with a crime or had charges dropped. RISD president: Student's visa revoked, reason unknown Brown University warns of visa revocations affecting students, recent graduates At a court hearing last week in Oakland, California, lawyers for international students sought a nationwide injunction they said would protect their clients and others across the country. But government attorneys said that wasn't necessary because ICE was mailing status reactivation letters to affected students. It likely will take two weeks for all students to receive their letter, which can then be shared with universities and employers, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Kurlan said. The plaintiffs' lawyers said the letter is meaningless, arguing ICE's new policy suggests student records can be terminated on a whim. There's also no evidence ICE has asked the State Department to restore revoked visas, the plaintiffs' attorneys said. The man in Houston left within about a week of learning his legal status had been terminated. Around that time, he also received an email that the visa he used to enter the U.S. had been revoked. He believes his termination stemmed from a 2021 fraud case that was dismissed. Over nearly a decade, he had built a life in the U.S., where he was enrolled in 'optional practical training,' which allows foreign students to stay and work for up to three years on their student visas. In his home country, he is now looking for work and living with his mother. The wait time for a U.S. visa interview is at least a year, he said. Even if he got another visa, returning would be complicated because of his financial situation. He had a car loan and credit cards in the U.S. that he can't afford to pay after losing his job, and his credit score has since dropped, he said. 'Revoking a visa or revoking a SEVIS status does not just affect the educational side of things, it affects the whole life,' said the student, who has also struggled with feelings of loneliness and grief over his father's recent death. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database that tracks international students' compliance with their visa status. Students who left the country may not have known their rights or had the resources to hire a lawyer, said Ben Loveman, an immigration attorney. They now will have a harder time being reinstated, he said. 'There were huge consequences,' Loveman said. For a Nepali programmer in Texas who had his status terminated, the ordeal brought up a mistake he thought he had left in the past. The programmer, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, was arrested four years ago for drunken driving. He said he took responsibility for his actions, performing community service hours, serving probation and paying fines. The judge told him the records could be sealed after two years, but the case appears to explain why he was targeted by immigration authorities. 'I followed everything,' he said. 'If they're going to take it all, at least give me due process.' His status has since been restored, and the programmer, who is on an OPT program, has gone back to his job. But the episode hasn't faded from his mind. If the right opportunity emerged in another country like New Zealand or Canada, he said he would take it and leave. A student at Iowa State University who also requested anonymity out of concern about being targeted said he is looking for options to leave the U.S. after what he describes as a 'dark period.' The Ph.D. student said his status termination pushed him to a mental breaking point. He had a plane ticket back home to Bangladesh reserved. He hardly left his apartment, and when he did, he felt he was being followed. He attributes his termination to pending charges against him for marijuana possession, but he said he hadn't been convicted. After his status was reinstated, he restarted a teaching assistant job he had lost. Then, he had to catch up on grading almost three weeks of assignments for dozens of students. While he's relieved to get back to school, he's confident about his decision to leave by the end of the year — either for home or Europe. The degree is not worth the risk of another status termination, he said. 'How much should I suffer to continue here?' he asked. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
