Sushma to meet Russian, Chinese counterparts in Moscow

New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be meeting her counterparts from Russia and China during the RIC (Russia, India, China) trilateral meeting in Moscow on April 18.

"External Affairs Minister will be attending the 14th meeting of the foreign ministers of Russia, India and China which is being hosted by Russia in Moscow on April 18," external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said during his weekly press briefing here on Thursday.

"India attaches importance to RIC ministerial meeting that allows the three countries exchange views and coordinate their positions on international and regional issues of mutual importance," he said.

During the visit, Sushma Swaraj will meet Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, who is co-chair of the India-Russia inter-governmental commission on trade and economic cooperation, to take stock of the developments in strengthening this important aspect of the bilateral relationship.

"She will also meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to take stock of the overall bilateral relationship," Swarup said.

Sushma Swaraj will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss bilateral developments between India and China.

Though Russia, India and China cooperate within the BRICS grouping too, the RIC strategic triangle helps three of the world's most powerful countries to function as an economic and strategic powerhouse.