“The controversy between India and China is a significant problem for Russia as Moscow needs close cooperation with both countries. Trilateral format as proposed many years ago by the late (Russian Prime Minister) Yevgeni Primakov doesn't work well under circumstances, but multilateral arrangements suit them better,” stated Fyodor Lukyanov, the Research Director of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club.
“The multipolar world order is there, if we see it in terms of an opposition to hegemony. We don’t know yet what exactly this order means. This is a work in progress. But rivalry between poles is an imminent characteristic of such a system, so India-China relations cannot be an obstacle,” explained the geopolitical pundit.
“As far as Russia is concerned, these tensions are a sad thing for us as we need for our purposes very intense relations with both countries. So, Russia will try its best to decrease tensions,” Lukyanov added.
India Welcomes Russia’s Greater Role in Asia-Pacific
Lukyanov further underscored the point that New Delhi was “very much open” to Russia’s growing role in the emerging security architecture of Asia-Pacific in spite of being part of the US-led Quad grouping.
“Greater Russian presence there poses no risks to India,” he stressed.