Foreign Ministers of Russia, India and China met for the eighth time in Yekaterinburg, Russia to reaffirm their commonality, in views on the global situation and, for the first time, set out coordinated positions on Kosovo, Iran, Afghanistan and the Asia-Pacific region, The Hindu reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said a joint communique on boosting links between the three large developing countries would look at enhanced co-operation on humanitarian aid, fighting terrorism and combating drug trafficking.

“I believe that against the backdrop of a multi-polar world it is necessary to advance cooperation between Russia, China and India, the three countries that are rapidly growing and enjoying strong economic growth,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

On Kosovo, India for the first time joined Russia and China in stating categorically in the RIC communiqué that “the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo is contrary to the U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244,” and calling for settling the issue “in accordance with norms of international law” and on the basis of “an agreement” and “through negotiations” between Belgrade and Pristina.

On Iran’s nuclear programme, RIC called for “a political and diplomatic settlement” of the problem “through negotiations.”

“We discussed the situation around Afghanistan, where the drug threat emanates. It would help to build drug-secure belts around Afghanistan,” Lavrov said after holding talks with his Chinese and Indian counterparts in this Urals city, Reuters reported.

The next trilateral meeting will take place next year in India. To further trilateral ties Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev will visit India towards the end of this year to continue the tradition of annual bilateral summits established under his predecessor Vladimir Putin.