BEIJING– External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement amid efforts to improve strained ties between India and China.
The meeting took place as part of a collective call by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers on the Chinese President. During the interaction, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared on X (formerly Twitter):
“Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard.”
This visit marks Jaishankar’s first trip to China since the deadly 2020 clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. He is in the country to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin.
On Monday, the Indian foreign minister held several high-level discussions aimed at strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the two nations.
Jaishankar met Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party (IDCPC), to emphasize the need for a constructive and stable India-China relationship. He also held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a senior official in the Communist Party’s Political Bureau.
During their conversation, Jaishankar stressed the importance of a long-term perspective in resolving bilateral issues, including border tensions, trade barriers, and limited people-to-people exchanges.
“It is incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalize people-to-people exchanges, and avoid restrictive trade measures and roadblocks,” Jaishankar posted on X. “Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory.”
Jaishankar also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and reiterated that further normalization of India-China relations could deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
He underscored the importance of open dialogue between the two neighboring powers, particularly in the context of a complex and evolving global landscape.
Highlighting the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Jaishankar welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — a pilgrimage that had been suspended since 2020 due to COVID-19 and border tensions.
India’s participation in recent SCO meetings has increased in scope and frequency, with key visits by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to China in June for SCO-led discussions on defense and security.
The SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ meeting serves as a lead-up to the 25th SCO Heads of State Summit, scheduled to be held later this year in Tianjin. India chaired the SCO in 2023, while Pakistan hosted the 2024 Leaders’ Summit.
Founded as a regional security and cooperation bloc, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a permanent intergovernmental body that includes India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus. The SCO’s focus areas include counterterrorism, regional stability, economic collaboration, and connectivity. (Source: IANS)
