Beijing [China] External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with his counterparts from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. The high-level interaction comes as part of Jaishankar’s visit to China for the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar said he had briefed President Xi on recent developments in India-China relations and conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. 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 our leaders in that regard,” Jaishankar shared in a post on social media platform X.
This marks Jaishankar’s first official visit to China since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which significantly strained bilateral ties. He arrived in Beijing after completing a trip to Singapore.
On Monday, Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister and Politburo member Wang Yi. The two discussed the need for a forward-looking approach in managing bilateral relations and emphasized the importance of creating a stable and constructive framework.
“Held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing this evening. Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship,” Jaishankar posted on X.
He further underlined the importance of resolving border-related issues, promoting people-to-people connections, and avoiding unnecessary trade restrictions. Expressing optimism, he said that with mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity, the India-China relationship could move in a positive direction.
“Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalizing people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks. Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory,” he added.
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. During the meeting, he acknowledged recent improvements in bilateral relations and expressed hope that his visit would help sustain that momentum. He also reaffirmed India’s support for China’s SCO presidency.
“Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India’s support for China’s SCO Presidency. Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory,” he noted in another post on X.
Jaishankar’s visit follows trips by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to China in June for SCO-related engagements. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also scheduled to visit India next month for talks with NSA Doval under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism—part of ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing border issues.
The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 marked the most serious military confrontation between India and China in over four decades, leading to casualties on both sides. Relations plunged to a historic low. However, the decision to revive the SR dialogue and other dormant diplomatic channels was taken during a brief exchange between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year.
