External affairs minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, marking a crucial moment in efforts to restore India-China relations. The visit is significant as it comes amid ongoing efforts to resolve long-standing border tensions and reset diplomatic channels that were disrupted by the 2020 border clashes.
Jaishankar arrived in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting, but bilateral talks with Chinese leadership took center stage. In his opening statement, he emphasized that the “continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes,” highlighting the shared interests of both nations as neighbors and global economic powers.
First Visit Since 2020 Border Tensions
This visit is Jaishankar’s first trip to China since the violent border confrontation in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley in 2020. The deadly clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, drove bilateral relations to their lowest point in six decades. Since then, both countries have engaged in slow but steady diplomatic recovery.
Jaishankar said that the bilateral relationship has been “steadily improving” since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. That meeting resulted in a crucial understanding to resolve the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and restart various bilateral mechanisms.
Progress and Symbolic Moves
During his meeting with Han Zheng, Jaishankar noted the positive momentum, citing the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after five years. The pilgrimage, deeply significant to Indian devotees, had been suspended following the 2020 tensions.
He also highlighted the importance of open dialogue in today’s complex geopolitical environment, stating that as major economies and close neighbors, India and China must continue exchanging views to navigate regional and global issues responsibly.
Upcoming SCO Meeting in Tianjin
After his meetings in Beijing, Jaishankar will travel to Tianjin to attend the SCO foreign ministers’ meeting. Before arriving in China, he held high-level meetings in Singapore, reviewing bilateral progress with that nation’s top leadership.
Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for China’s current presidency of the SCO, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate on multilateral platforms, even as bilateral differences persist.
Tensions Still Simmer Over Tibet Issue
While progress is evident, sensitive topics remain. Just before Jaishankar’s arrival, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi flagged Tibet-related issues, particularly surrounding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, as a “thorn” in the relationship. The spokesperson criticized India’s support for Tibetan autonomy and said that such matters remain a core concern for Beijing.
The latest friction emerged after the Dalai Lama declared that only a trust appointed by him could recognize his reincarnation, challenging China’s efforts to control succession in Tibetan Buddhism.
Can the Relationship Truly Normalize?
While both sides are signaling a thaw in icy relations, challenges continue to test the strength of diplomatic progress. The LAC dispute, Tibet, and regional influence in South Asia remain areas of strategic competition.
Yet, Jaishankar’s visit represents an effort by India to strike a balance between asserting national interests and reviving practical cooperation. His statement that “continued normalisation of ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes” reflects a cautious optimism for future engagement.
The latest developments indicate a positive shift in India-China relations, yet underscore the complexity of achieving full normalization. As both countries navigate shared concerns—ranging from security to trade and geopolitics—the road ahead will demand persistent diplomacy and strategic clarity.
India-China relations, though strained in recent years, are now inching toward a possible revival—one step, one handshake at a time.
Shocking Twist in Humaira Asghar Ali’s Death: Heartbreaking Audio Clip Surfaces