India’s commitments to strategic autonomy, systemic balancing and the Global South explain its robust engagement with the three non-Western groupings—RIC, SCO and BRICS. India’s geopolitical position straddles both the Eurasian and Indo-Pacific regions, with abiding interests in both. Participation in processes of both regions ensures strategic balancing across contested geopolitical spaces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on the sidelines of the Saint Petersburg Economic Forum on 4 June 2026, offered a detailed appreciation of the complex nature of India–China relations, their leaders’ commitment to improving bilateral ties, the positive results they have produced, and Russia’s constructive ties with both.[1] Responding to the statement, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson remarked that “maintaining sound relations is not only in the respective interests of the three countries but also conducive to regional and global peace, security, stability and prosperity”. China was “ready to keep in communication with Russia and India on advancing cooperation among the three countries”.[2] These statements were seen as signs of willingness to revive the dormant Russia–India–China (RIC) cooperation framework.[3]

While the Government of India remains non-committal, there is a perceptible undercurrent in a section of Indian commentators in support of reviving RIC as well. The backdrop is the Trump administration’s unpredictability in international affairs; the international fallout from the US–Israel–Iran war; and the visible improvement in India–China ties. India’s BRICS Presidency this year provides an opportune context for serious consideration of this proposition and to strengthen the nested geometry of RIC–SCO–BRICS.[4] India is an important member in the three non-Western groupings, and its commitments to strategic autonomy, systemic balancing and the Global South would explain its robust engagement with them.

India is committed to strategic autonomy, with which it pursues freedom of action to maximise relative national interests within systemic constraints by managing dependencies. Though not absolute, the freedom of decision-making is a foundational value of Indian foreign policy. Avoiding excessive dependencies through a multi-aligned foreign policy is one means of achieving it. India, as a geographically and demographically large civilisational state, with deep and diversified stakes in the global system and working in a complex security environment, does not have the luxury of disavowing strategic autonomy.[5]

India, with its commitment to a stable international order, is committed to systemic security rather than to narrowly defined security groupings. Its objective in participating in security-related groupings is to balance against strategic coercion, not to promote it from any quarter.[6] Although there may be a gap between India’s moral-normative intent and the signals emerging from structural interpretations, India has been consistent in its approach. It believes that the existence of multiple groupings contributes to multi-polarity. Its worldview and national interests guide its participation, even though some may operate in ‘rival’ geo-strategic spaces, such as the SCO and Quad. Such a catholic approach not only aligns with strategic autonomy but also makes its value-based engagement more stable and predictable.

The Global South is “an emotion” among the developing countries with a shared past of colonial exploitation.[7] As India claims a greater role in world affairs, it is resolved to “decisively address” their historical injustice.[8] It seeks to employ ‘common development with mutual support, trust and effort’ as its guiding principle.[9]

India underlines “a stable environment”, “transparent economic practices” and reduced dependencies as pre-conditions for sustainable development and economic security.[10] It seeks international technological collaboration to build capacity in the Global South, especially in digital public infrastructure.[11] It avers that conflicts threaten “food, fertiliser and energy security” of the developing world.[12] It supports reformed multilateralism and effective use of existing groupings for a fair international order.[13] During India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023, India enshrined its vision through the Delhi Declaration[14] and inclusion of the African Union.[15]

The Nested Geometry of RIC–SCO–BRICS

The three reference points explain why India should contribute to the nested geometry of RIC–SCO–BRICS. Nested geometry places shapes and objects inside one another, showing an interconnected relation. Though the RIC–SCO–BRICS may not be technically nested,........

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