THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Beijing, July 14: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to Beijing, underscored the need for an open exchange of views between India and China, stressing that such dialogue is vital “as we meet today in a very complex international situation.” He stated that continued efforts to normalise bilateral relations could yield “mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Jaishankar held talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng shortly after arriving from Singapore, marking the second leg of his two-nation tour. He is in China to participate in a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which is being held in the city of Tianjin under China’s presidency.
In a social media post following the meeting, Jaishankar said he conveyed India’s support for China’s SCO leadership and expressed optimism about the trajectory of bilateral ties.
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The visit marks Jaishankar’s first trip to China since the 2020 border standoff in eastern Ladakh severely strained diplomatic relations. The tensions had peaked after a violent clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. However, following disengagement agreements—most notably the October 2024 pact concerning Depsang and Demchok—there has been a gradual thaw in ties.
Referring to recent efforts to repair the strained relationship, Jaishankar said in his televised opening remarks in the meeting, “Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping.”
He also welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, noting in the same opening statement that it has been “widely appreciated in India.”
“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 said.
He added that he is confident his current visit would help sustain the forward momentum: “I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory.”
His trip comes less than three weeks after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited Qingdao for the SCO Defence Ministers’ Conference, reflecting New Delhi’s broader engagement with the SCO under China’s current chairmanship.
