FMs focus on multilateralism in key RIC meet, Jaishankar highlights India’s contributions in WWII

Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China participated in the RIC virtual meet on Tuesday amid tensions along the Indo-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. Throughout the meet, emphasis was laid on implications of the novel coronavirus outbreak on the global economy.

Russia, the host country, opened the forum with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov saying, “Today, we have other threats, first of all – Covid-19. The pandemic continues to take lives, to have a serious negative impact on world politics and the economy. The pandemic has demonstrated the unprecedented interconnectedness of the international community. It is impossible to sit aside, to isolate oneself from cross-border problems.”

While foreign ministers of Russia, India and China discussed the pandemic, the need to ensure “multilateralism” and UN reforms were also discussed apart from the fact that the three countries have been active participants in “shaping the global agenda”.

In his opening remarks, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said, “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, recognizing the legitimate interests of partners, supporting multilateralism and promoting common good is the only way of building a durable world order.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who hosted the event, held a press conference after the meet. Lavrov said, “Today, we talked of probable reforms of the United Nations and India is a strong nominee to become a permanent member of UN Security Council and we support India’s candidacy. We believe it can become a full-fledged member of the Security Council.”

Responding to a question on the India-China stand-off, Sergei Lavrov said, “I don’t think India and China need any help from outside. I don’t think they need to be helped, especially when it comes to country issues. They can solve them on their own,” adding, “This means recent events.”

“New Delhi and Beijing have shown a commitment to a peaceful resolution. They started meetings at the level of defence officers and foreign ministers and neither has made any statement to indicate either will pursue non-diplomatic solutions,” Lavrov told reporters.

The meeting comes on the eve of the Victory Day Parade in Moscow which will see participation from the Indian side as well. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, already in Russia, will attend the parade in which a 75-member contingent of Indian forces will also take part.

The special RIC meeting was held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of the Second World War, as well as the foundation of the United Nations.

“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. If Indian personnel were conferred the Order of the Red Star, the medical mission led by Dr Kotnis was a legend in China,” EAM Dr S Jaishankar said as he hailed India’s contributions in the Second World War.

“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,” Jaishankar added, seeking to “rectify” the past and accord the importance and space India deserves in the new, ever-changing world order.