The Russia-Ukraine war has placed Asian nations in a challenging diplomatic position. As Western powers, led by the United States, pressure governments to align against Moscow, many developing Asian states find it impractical to take sides. Their economic and strategic reliance on Russia compels them to maintain constructive engagement.
For these nations, fostering multilateralism with Russia sends a strong message that their foreign policy autonomy must be respected. However, navigating this path through conventional platforms, where non-Asian powers dominate, is a formidable challenge. The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), an Asia-only multilateral framework, offers a unique and underutilized platform for such engagement. This approach hinges on the political will of major players, especially India, to shape a balanced strategy.
The Importance of Constructive Engagement with Russia
Asia’s emerging countries have chosen cautious neutrality since the start of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Southeast Asian nations, especially ASEAN members, have prioritized balanced diplomacy over outright denunciation of Russia. Even though the fight is against international law, Moscow is not the first government to do so, as evidenced by analogies to earlier actions such as the US invasion of Iraq. Asian nations must avoid major power conflicts if they hope to preserve their sovereignty and regional harmony.
The repercussions of geopolitical conflicts in a globalized society disproportionately affect developing countries. Economic disruptions caused by the conflict have strained governments dependent on performance legitimacy—where political stability hinges on delivering public goods. The economic challenges resulting from the war, such as soaring energy prices, have already destabilized governments in vulnerable nations, exemplified by the political collapse in Sri Lanka. For these reasons, many Asian countries, including Central Asia’s energy-dependent states and Southeast Asia’s strategically aligned nations, prioritize maintaining ties with Russia.
Why Multilateral Engagement?
While bilateral diplomacy with Russia remains an option, a multilateral approach amplifies the collective voice of Asian states. By engaging Russia through a unified framework, Asian nations can articulate their distinct interests, which often diverge from those of Western powers. However, existing multilateral institutions are often influenced by non-Asian powers, limiting their effectiveness in serving Asia’s unique priorities. This underscores the importance of a platform focused only on the Asian region.
The Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), the establishment of which dates back to 2002, is such a forum. The ACD is different as compared with other international frames because it is founded on informality, inclusivity, and non-institutionalization, which includes all countries of Asia. The member states have such qualities—they can speak more freely and be more comfortable—which is a good basis for the discussion of sensitive Russia issues.
The Role of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)
The ACD is structured and oriented in such a way that it is an ideal platform for promoting constructive interaction with Russia. With key Asian powers such as China, India, Japan, and Russia as members, the ACD facilitates continent-wide collaboration. Its informality-oriented design encourages open dialogue, which is critical for addressing contentious issues like energy security and geopolitical stability.
Although the ACD has faced criticism for its lack of tangible outcomes and perceived inefficiency, its original purpose—serving as a forum for exchanging views on mutual interests—aligns with Asia’s current need to engage Russia diplomatically. Moreover, the inclusion of multiple regional powers within the ACD ensures a balance of influence, mitigating the risk of asymmetry in negotiations with Moscow. For Russia, the ACD offers a low-cost yet high-profile platform to counter its international isolation and engage with developing Asian nations.
The Kremlin has already signaled interest in utilizing the ACD as a channel for dialogue. Historically, the ACD has facilitated similar engagements, as demonstrated by Iran’s use of the platform during periods of heightened tensions with the West.
Political Will and Strategic Autonomy
The realization of the ACD’s potential is on the strong political will of Asia’s important players—above all, India and the Gulf states. India, a regional hegemon with close ties to Russia, is in a unique position to spearhead this effort. If East Asian powers like Japan have lost their appetite for the ACD, other stakeholders in the region can use the platform to assert their agency in determining how Asia engages with Russia.
Engaging Russia through the ACD would also send a powerful message to the West: Asian nations are determined to pursue their interests independently. Such an approach emphasizes that they should not bear the costs of a conflict in which they have no direct involvement. Moreover, multilateral dialogue through the ACD aligns with the principles of strategic autonomy, allowing Asian states to navigate great power rivalries without compromising their sovereignty.
Conclusion
Constructive engagement with Russia remains a necessity for many Asian nations, driven by economic, energy, and security considerations. The ACD, with its inclusive and informal framework, offers a practical solution for fostering dialogue and cooperation with Moscow.
However, the success of this approach depends on the willingness of key players like India to champion Asia’s strategic autonomy. By leveraging the ACD, Asian nations can assert their collective voice and reinforce their right to independently navigate an increasingly polarized international order.
