Image Credit: X account @DrSJaishankar
Jaishankar Meets Xi After Border De‑escalation
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on July 15, marking the first senior-level India-China engagement since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020. The meeting took place during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ gathering.
Jaishankar’s visit comes after a gradual process of military disengagement, with troops pulled back from key friction points including Depsang and Demchok in late 2024.
Dialogue With Diplomatic Caution
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasized the need for a “far-seeing approach” in managing the India-China relationship. He reiterated that while differences are natural between major neighbours, they should not be allowed to turn into disputes.
The minister also met China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng. He stressed the importance of respecting mutual concerns, and continuing structured dialogue to avoid escalation.
Trade, Travel and People Ties
Jaishankar urged China to lift non-tariff barriers, especially those affecting rare-earth exports and fertiliser supplies, which are important to Indian industries. He also sought the resumption of direct air connectivity and the long-suspended Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, saying that people-to-people contacts are essential to restoring normalcy in ties.
Common Ground on Security
Both sides agreed on the need for zero tolerance for terrorism and enhancing cooperation on regional challenges under the SCO platform. While no major breakthrough was announced, the meeting is being seen as a confidence-building gesture, intended to stabilise ties amid ongoing boundary negotiations.
What Lies Ahead
With tensions still unresolved in some border areas, further rounds of military and diplomatic dialogue are expected. India’s position remains that peace on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is essential for restoring full bilateral normalcy.
