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In an important diplomatic outreach ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit later this year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday. The interaction, held alongside the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, marks the highest-level contact between India and China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 and signals an attempt to recalibrate ties amid ongoing efforts at normalization.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Xi, and briefed him on the recent developments in the India-China bilateral relationship. “Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard,” Jaishankar posted on social media platform X, highlighting the evolving trajectory of ties between the two Asian giants.
Jaishankar’s visit to China, his first in six years, follows earlier engagements by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, indicating renewed momentum in bilateral diplomacy under the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue framework. The SR mechanism is expected to resume formally in the coming months as part of a wider initiative to address the long-standing boundary dispute.
Key Issues on the Table: Border Tensions, Trade, and Terrorism
Jaishankar’s discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng on Monday laid the groundwork for Tuesday’s meeting with Xi. In his talks, Jaishankar underlined the importance of “a far-seeing approach” in managing bilateral ties, highlighting that peace along the border remains a prerequisite for broader cooperation.
“Addressing all aspects related to the boundary, avoiding trade restrictions, and resuming people-to-people exchanges are critical for sustaining the current positive momentum,” Jaishankar said after meeting Wang. He reiterated that mutual respect and sensitivity must guide both nations’ approach to conflict management and cooperation.
In a pointed reminder of the SCO’s foundational objectives, Jaishankar also called on member states to uphold a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. “The core mandate of the SCO is to fight terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It is imperative that this principle remains non-negotiable,” he stated, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to concerns over China’s position on regional terror networks.
Connectivity and Cultural Diplomacy Back in Focus
Another area of discussion was connectivity and the resumption of suspended exchanges. Both sides reportedly agreed to restart direct air links.
Additionally, India and China are set to enhance cooperation on transboundary water management, with continued sharing of hydrological data, particularly relevant in the context of Himalayan River systems that affect both nations.
Modi-Xi Meeting on the Horizon
Jaishankar’s visit is seen as part of a series of confidence-building measures paving the way for Prime Minister Modi’s likely participation in the upcoming SCO Summit in China this September.
While key irritants remain — including border infrastructure build-up, trade imbalances, and geopolitical rivalry in the Indo-Pacific — Jaishankar’s Beijing visit signals that both nations are willing to compartmentalise contentious issues to pursue broader regional cooperation.
Huma Siddiqui
