Context:

• The Russia-India-China held the 15th foreign ministerial meeting, first trilateral meet post-Doklam in New Delhi.
• India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a bilateral meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi respectively to discuss all the issues of mutual interest.

Fodder Points:

• The three-nation for the first time came together and called for cooperation to take decisive and strong action against global terrorism. Although India’s EAM did not mention Jaish-e-Mohammad in the list of terror groups, however, she mentioned Laksar-e-Taliban, Islamic State, and al-Qaeda.
• India also stressed to opt for a collective approach by the three countries in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The connectivity remained focus area at the RIC meet. India’s focus is likely to stress on the speedy implementation of the 7,200 km-long International North-South Transport Corridor(INSTC) linking India, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia with Europe.
• The RIC Joint statement did not name Pakistan unlike the joint document issued after the BRICS.
• The three countries also agreed to intensify cooperation in multilateral for including FATF (Financial Action Task Force) and FATF-style regional bodies(FSRBs) in order to cut the flows of funds, and other financial assets and economic resources to individuals and entities involved in terrorism.

Way Forward:

• The RIC underlined the primary and leading role and responsibility of states in preventing and countering terrorism and extremism.
• RIC called for greater unity, stronger partnership and concerted actions by the international community in addressing the menace of terrorism in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.