In addition to their alternative vision on political issues, the RIC Foreign Ministers’ meet is gradually expanding trilateral cooperation in several sectors, including disaster relief, agriculture and public health.

Given the legacy of defence cooperation and ongoing projects, Russia will remain for the foreseeable future India’s major defence partner.

The Summit was part of Russia’s ongoing initiatives to play a greater role in stabilising the region before the expected withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.

India and Russia should look at a hi-tech partnership for the 21st century in new areas of the civilian economy.

Russia is one country that India cannot afford to sideline, as it is the only trusted partner with whom India has mutual compatibility and a close political, military and economic partnership for decades.

The Skolkova initiative is part of Russia’s attempt to develop a robust national innovation system and a knowledge based economy.

The importance of the RIC trilateral initiative lies in the fact that India, Russia and China, as countries with growing international influence, can make substantive contributions to global peace, security and stability.