Beijing, 14 July 2025 – External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing today for his first visit to mainland China in five years—marking a pivotal moment in efforts to revive India–China relations amidst recent regional tensions.
High-Level Meeting with Chinese Leadership
Soon after his arrival, Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. Han emphasized that China and India should “advance practical cooperation and respect each other’s concerns” to support stable bilateral ties. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s backing for China’s upcoming SCO presidency and stated that dialogue should reinforce the positive trajectory set by the Modi–Xi meeting in Kazan last October.
75 Years of Diplomatic Relations and Resumption of Yatra
Speaking on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Jaishankar welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, describing it as a widely appreciated gesture symbolizing growing goodwill. He emphasized that both neighbours, as major economies, must sustain open exchanges to navigate an increasingly complex international context.
Meeting with FM Wang Yi and SCO Engagements
Jaishankar will next meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. This follows their last interaction at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, where both sides called for deeper mutual trust. The following day, he is scheduled to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tianjin, with further bilateral discussions on the sidelines.
The visit builds on recent diplomacy by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval, who both attended SCO meetings in China in June. FM Wang Yi is expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Doval under the Special Representatives (SR) mechanism—reactivated after a break since the Galwan standoff.
Challenges on the Dalai Lama Succession
Beijing has reiterated that the Dalai Lama succession remains its internal affair and warned that India should avoid interference—describing any involvement as “shooting oneself in the foot.” Jaishankar’s visit must navigate this sensitive backdrop carefully amid efforts to reset ties.
Background: Galwan and the Path Forward
Relations have been frozen at a low since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, the bloodiest border skirmish in decades. The Modi–Xi meeting in Kazan reignited momentum, leading to troop disengagements and the reinstatement of key exchanges like the Mansarovar Yatra.
Jaishankar’s visit underscores India’s dual strategy: re-engaging China top-down while balancing parallel outreach to other SCO members like Singapore. It signals India’s intent to stabilize ties through high-level dialogue and multilateral engagement.
