Indian Thought Latest News & Views
Moscow: With efforts to reactivate the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral platform, discussions on strategic cooperation between the three countries have intensified. On the other hand, US (America’s) President Donald Trump is trying to put pressure on India by imposing an additional 25% tariff and threatening to increase it further. This tariff has been imposed on India’s purchase of oil and weapons from Russia. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that India will not compromise on its interests, especially the interests of farmers and the dairy industry, at any cost. Let us understand this situation in detail and see what impact it can have on the global system and America if India, Russia and China come together.
What is RIC and its history?
The RIC i.e. Russia-India-China trilateral forum was started in the 1990s by former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov. Its objective was to challenge the unipolar world order of the US and Western countries and promote a multipolar world order. The goal of this forum was to strengthen strategic, economic and security cooperation between the three countries. From 2002 to 2020, the RIC held more than 20 ministerial meetings, in which issues such as foreign policy, trade, and security were discussed. After 2020, the forum became inactive due to the Galwan Valley conflict on the India-China border and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Russia and China are now in favor of reactivating this forum. India has also taken a positive but cautious stance on this. India’s NSA Ajit Doval met Russian President Vladimir Putin and Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Moscow. During this time, the dates of Putin’s visit to India were almost finalised, and emphasis was laid on further strengthening the Russia-India strategic partnership.
What does it mean for India, Russia and China to come together?
India, Russia and China are among the biggest powers in the world. The military and economic strength of these three countries together can change the global order. The rebirth of RIC can reduce the dominance of America and Western countries. It will promote a multipolar world order in which the voice of non-Western countries will be strong. This organization can mold the global agenda (such as climate, development, terrorism) to suit its interests by working together on platforms like the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The US feels threatened by RIC because it can challenge its global power. Trump has already questioned BRICS and India’s partnership with Russia. Cooperation with Russia and China can provide India new opportunities in areas like energy, defense, and technology. This can provide a platform for a permanent dialogue in the border dispute with China, which can reduce tensions and India can maintain a balance between the West and the East while maintaining its strategic autonomy.
US tariff threats and India’s response
US President Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25% tariff on India, the reason for which is said to be India’s purchase of oil and weapons from Russia. Along with this, a 50% tariff has been imposed on Indian products. Trump has also threatened to increase it further and impose secondary sanctions. The tariff will increase the cost of India’s pharma, IT, textile, and mobile exports, which will affect these sectors. Also, dairy products, such as ghee and milk powder, may become expensive in the US, which may reduce their demand.
Prime Minister Modi has made it clear that India will protect the interests of its farmers and dairy industry, no matter what the pressure. Also, with the confirmation of NSA Ajit Doval’s visit to Moscow and Putin’s visit to India, India has given a message to America that it will remain independent in its foreign policy.
Trump wants to create a rift in India-Russia friendship!
The tariff policy of the Trump administration can be seen as a strategic attempt to create a rift in the deep friendship between India and Russia. The aim of this policy is not only to put economic pressure on India, but it can also be an attempt to weaken Russia in global trade. India and Russia have a decades-old strategic and trade relationship, which includes areas such as defense, energy and trade. On the other hand, Trump has also threatened to impose tariffs on China, but no concrete steps have been taken so far, due to which the pressure on India seems more clear.
Trump’s tariff threats also harm America
Trump’s tariff threats may be part of the strategy to put pressure on India, but they have some limitations. India exports goods worth $ 87 billion to America every year. Increasing tariffs can also harm America’s own economy, because American consumers will be affected by Indian goods becoming expensive. White House advisor Peter Navarro has also admitted that America wants to avoid such policies that harm its economy. Trump has not yet shown any strictness on China regarding tariffs, whereas China buys 4 times more oil from Russia than India. This raises the question whether there is bias in Trump’s policy.
RIC’s activism will reduce America’s influence
The RIC alliance of India, Russia and China can bring a big change in the global system. It will promote a multipolar world, in which America’s unilateral dominance can be reduced.
