Russia said on Thursday that any further escalation of tensions between India and China could affect regional stability in Eurasia and reiterated the need to find a negotiated settlement for the border confrontation along the Royal Line of Control (LAC).
Russia’s deputy chief of mission, Roman Babushkin, pointed to meetings between the defense and foreign ministers of India and China on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meetings in Moscow in September, saying that groups such as SCO , Russia-India-China (RIC) and Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (Brics) can help “expand common ground and mutual trust.”
Babushkin’s comments came in the context of the border clash between India and China that lasted almost seven months. New Delhi and Beijing are currently considering a proposal for a gradual withdrawal of troops at key friction points in the Ladakh sector and the military commanders of the two sides are expected to meet this week to carry out the process after months of stagnation.
Also read: Indian Army and PLA consider expanding disconnection
“It is feared that amid common turmoil and unpredictability, the escalation between India and China would further affect regional instability in our common home, Eurasia, while the escalation as we are witnessing may be misused by other actors for their geopolitical purposes.” Babushkin told reporters during an briefing.
“Russia is in a unique position as it has special strategic alliances with India and China and these relationships are independent by nature. Naturally, we are concerned about the current tensions between India and China. However, we believe that a peaceful solution is inevitable. [and] better sooner rather than later, ”he said.
Moscow has played a behind-the-scenes role in pushing New Delhi and Beijing toward a negotiated settlement of the showdown, and Babushkin noted that the SCO meetings of defense and foreign ministers in Moscow in September provided an opportunity for Defense Minister Rajnath. Singh and external. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to hold bilateral meetings with his Chinese counterparts.
The meeting between Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on September 10 led the two sides to finalize a five-point roadmap to end the confrontation, including dialogue aimed at a quick disconnect, while maintaining the appropriate distance between the troops of the two parties, complying with all the agreements. and protocols on border management, and working on new confidence-building measures once the situation improves.
Babushkin said that Russia believes that “it is very important to encourage our Asian friendly countries to engage more in a constructive dialogue” and that “their commitment to exercise restraint and maintain communications through diplomatic and military channels to eliminate tensions is absolutely welcome.” .
Dialogue is the main tool for cooperation within the SCO and BRIC framework, as it helps “expand common ground and mutual trust” and both groups have developed mechanisms for such cooperation, he said.
Babushkin noted that the RIC grouping will be chaired by India next year, saying: “We are confident that it is well designed to ensure a positive atmosphere and broaden its practical agenda.”
At the same time, he said, Russia has no problem with India’s association with the United States and other countries.
“India is a global player with multifaceted and widely diversified national interests and we respect that … India does not provide any reason for doubt when it comes to multilateral and bilateral commitments, although we know that there are attempts to pressure India and use unfair competition tools. and illegal as threats of sanctions and other restrictions, ”he said.
.
