SCO Summit in China: Just days after Indian Army sources claimed that China had used Pakistan as a “live weapons laboratory” during Operation Sindoor and provided real-time intelligence on Indian assets, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar who is in Beijing for a significant diplomatic engagement, said that the India-China relations are on “positive tragectory.”
His meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday signals a thaw in the tense relationship between the two Asian powers.
India support for China’s SCO presidency
Jaishankar expressed India’s support for China’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), noting that the bilateral relationship has shown signs of recovery since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October.
“Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today,” Jaishankar posted on X. “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.”
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra reopens
Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Jaishankar highlighted the recent resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a revered pilgrimage route in India that passes through Chinese territory. “The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is widely appreciated in India,” he said, adding that “continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Jaishankar acknowledged the complexity of the current international landscape and stressed the importance of open dialogue between India and China, calling it essential for neighbouring nations and major economies. “An open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important,” he told Vice President Han.
India-China border clash
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which marked the worst India-China border incident in over four decades. The deaths of soldiers on both sides pushed ties to their lowest point in recent memory.
Since then, the revival of dormant diplomatic channels has begun. The decision to restart talks under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism was reportedly made during the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan. Jaishankar’s visit follows those of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval, who were in China for SCO engagements in June.
Wang Yi visit, SCO meet in Tianjin
Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday for bilateral talks. Wang is also scheduled to visit India next month for a round of SR-level discussions with NSA Doval. Jaishankar will attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tianjin on July 15.