In a strong statement on Thursday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused Western nations of deliberately trying to create a rift between India, China, and Russia. His remarks come amid ongoing tensions between India and China along their disputed border and a generally strained relationship between the two Asian powers.
Lavrov, speaking at an international forum, said, "The West is consistently attempting to drive a wedge between Russia, India, and China by exploiting bilateral issues and inflaming regional tensions." He emphasized that such tactics aim to disrupt the growing cooperation between the three major powers, especially under platforms like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The statement underscores Moscow's continued strategic balancing act between its long-standing ties with India and its increasingly close partnership with China. Russia has maintained a neutral stance on the India-China border disputes but has repeatedly stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy.
Analysts suggest Lavrov's comments are part of a broader narrative pushed by Moscow that positions the West—especially the United States—as a destabilizing force in the emerging multipolar world order.
India and China remain at odds over several territorial and strategic issues, most notably following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Despite multiple rounds of military and diplomatic talks, tensions continue to simmer.
Lavrov's statement is being seen as a signal to both India and China to resist external influence and continue working toward resolving issues bilaterally, in the interest of regional stability and global multipolarity.
