RIC reaffirm commitment to Paris Agreement

Russia, India and China reaffirmed their commitment to work together to ensure that the modalities for implementing the Paris Agreement adopted under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change were framed to reflect equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibility as recognised under the UNFCCC, at the 15th Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral meet here, on Monday.

"We reaffirm our commitment to work together to ensure that the modalities for implementing the Paris Agreement adopted under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. We recognise the importance of parties to fulfil their obligations in the pre-2020 period, and call on parties to ratify the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol," RIC, in a joint press statement, said.

Russia, India and China also stressed on the importance of regional connectivity in enhancing political mutual trust, economic cooperation, and promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges. In this context they welcomed synergy of various initiatives to improve regional connectivity in Asia.

"We welcome the holding of the first trilateral Russia-India-China consultation on Asia Pacific affairs in Beijing in December 2016. These discussions have been helpful in developing a converging perspective on the emerging scenario in Asia Pacific region. We agree to hold the second trilateral consultation in New Delhi in the first half of 2018," the statement added.

They also expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the 15th trilateral Academic Conference held in India in January 2017 and welcomed the 16th Trilateral Academic Conference to be held in Russia next year.

They also welcomed the first edition of the visit of RIC Young diplomats hosted by China in January 2017 and agreed to hold the second such interaction in India in 2018.

The foreign minister of the People's Republic of China and the foreign minister of the Russian Federation thanked External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for hosting and making excellent arrangements for the meeting in New Delhi.

The ministers decided to hold the next trilateral meeting in China. The time and venue of the meeting will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

Apart from Paris Agreement, the foreign ministers of the three countries - Sushma Swaraj, Sergey Lavrov and Wang Yi - discussed terrorism and disarmament, the political scenario in the Middle East and North Africa, different challenges in putting world economy back on growth track, transnational organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, food security and climate change.