Beijing, July 14: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar arrived in China on Monday, marking his first visit to the country since bilateral ties were severely strained following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
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The visit comes ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled to be held in Tianjin on July 14 and 15. Upon arrival, Dr. Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing and reflected on the gradual improvement in bilateral ties since the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan.
"Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed out, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions during this visit will maintain that positive trajectory," Jaishankar told Vice President Zheng.
During the meeting, the External Affairs Minister also welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened border tensions. He emphasized that the continued normalisation of India-China relations could lead to outcomes that are mutually beneficial.
“The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important,” Jaishankar noted.
His remarks come against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Tensions remain high globally, with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, growing instability in the Middle East, and rising trade frictions. The reassertion of Iran’s nuclear ambitions following the recent 12-day conflict with Israel has further heightened regional volatility. Meanwhile, President Trump’s tariff policies on imports continue to impact global markets.
Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for China’s current SCO presidency and expressed optimism regarding the outcomes of his visit.
“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 posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Prior to his departure for Tianjin to attend the SCO summit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi. The two leaders are anticipated to discuss a range of pressing issues, including the succession of the Dalai Lama, the recent Pahalgam terror attack and its implications on India-Pakistan relations, and the future of rare earth mineral supplies to India.
The visit is being closely watched as a potential inflection point in India-China relations amid growing regional and global challenges.
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