S Jaishankar meets China's Xi Jinping, first since 2020 Galwan clash
S Jaishankar meets China's Xi Jinping, first since 2020 Galwan clash
M.U.H
15/07/202525
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his first China visit in five years, met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday as both countries attempt to reset ties following the border standoff in eastern Ladakh.
Jaishankar, who is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting, said he apprised the Chinese President of the recent development in bilateral ties.
"Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard," Jaishankar tweeted.
This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the deadly Galwan Valley clash of June 2020. In October 2024, a disengagement agreement was reached covering the final two friction points, Demchok and Depsang.
Since then, both nations have decided to revive bilateral dialogue mechanisms, which had been in cold storage since the border standoff.
CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION
Jaishankar touched upon the issue in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday, saying the countries must move forward on de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
"We have made good progress in the past nine months towards the normalisation of our bilateral relations... It is now incumbent on us to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation," he said.
The Union Minister also urged China to avoid "restrictive trade measures and roadblocks", a reference to Chinese export restrictions on critical minerals.
He further underscored that differences should not become disputes and nor should competition become conflict.
FRICTION POINTS REMAIN
Jaishankar's visit builds on momentum generated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's trip to Qingdao in June for the SCO defence ministers' meeting. It was the first visit by an Indian defence minister to China in over a decade.
The visits are aimed at laying the potential groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's likely visit to China later this year for the SCO Leaders' Summit.
However, as the two nations attempt to stabilise relations, several irritants have reared their heads. The Dalai Lama succession issue and China's iron-clad support for Pakistan during India's Operation Sindoor in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack are being seen as major friction points.
Jaishankar's visit also comes amid concerns in India over the growing closeness between China, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
