Image credit-x/@DrSJaishankar
India-China Ties: A New Chapter of Dialogue Begins with Jaishankar's Visit
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has concluded a pivotal visit to China, marking the first such trip since the 2020 Galwan Valley standoff. Meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice President Han Zheng, Jaishankar advocated for de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and a "far-seeing approach" to bilateral ties. The visit signals a cautious but hopeful step towards normalising relations, building on recent progress including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Beijing, China – In a significant diplomatic stride, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, engaged in high-level talks with Chinese leadership this week, signalling a cautious yet tangible move towards mending fractured ties. This marks Jaishankar's inaugural visit to China in five years, following the severe strain on relations after the 2020 military standoff in eastern Ladakh.
On Tuesday, as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting, Jaishankar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), accompanied by a handshake photo, Jaishankar stated he "Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties." This brief but symbolic encounter underscores a shared intent to re-engage at the highest levels.
Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 15, 2025
Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi.
Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of… pic.twitter.com/tNfmEzpJGl
The discussions commenced on Monday, where Jaishankar held extensive talks with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in Beijing. Emphasising the need for a "far-seeing approach" to their bilateral relationship, Jaishankar conveyed that both neighbours have achieved "good progress" over the past nine months in normalising relations. A key message delivered was the imperative to avoid restrictive trade measures and roadblocks, a point highlighted amidst ongoing economic complexities.
"India and China should now look at de-escalation of the situation along the LAC after making ‘good progress’ in normalising the bilateral ties in the past nine months," Jaishankar reportedly told Wang Yi, according to news agency PTI. This suggests a concerted effort to move beyond the immediate border disengagement towards a more lasting peace.
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, where he reiterated India's support for China's SCO Presidency. He expressed confidence that the ongoing discussions during his visit would maintain the positive trajectory observed in bilateral ties.
This series of engagements follows closely on the heels of visits by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to China in June for other SCO-related meetings. Looking ahead, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval, continuing a planned round of dialogue under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism, a crucial channel aimed at resolving the decades-old boundary dispute.
The revival of the SR dialogue and other dormant communication channels reportedly stems from a brief but meaningful exchange between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan, Russia, last October.
A notable glimmer of positive movement in recent times has been the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a hiatus of nearly five years. This pilgrimage, deeply significant to many, signals a thawing of people-to-people exchanges, which are vital for building trust and fostering mutual understanding between the two Asian giants.
The 2020 Galwan Valley standoff, the worst border clash in over four decades, tragically resulted in casualties on both sides and pushed bilateral ties to a historic low. Jaishankar's visit, therefore, is not merely a routine diplomatic engagement but a critical step in navigating the complex path towards stable and constructive India-China relations.(source-mint)
#IndiaChinaDialogue #JaishankarChina #SCODiplomacy
0 Comments