India-China ties ‘steadily improving’, says Jaishankar on first China visit since Ladakh standoff

"An open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important," the External Affairs Minister added.

By: Express Web Desk
July 14, 2025 12:14 PM IST

2 min read

Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a meeting with the Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, in Beijing, China. (@DrSJaishankar on X via PTI Photo)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing and talked about the importance of continuing the positive advancement in bilateral ties. He said that “continued normalisation” of India-China relations could lead to “mutually beneficial outcomes.”

“Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October,” Jaishankar said during the televised opening remarks of the meeting. He added, “I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory.”

“The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India,” Jaishankar also said.

‘Very important’ to have open exchange of views

Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Jaishankar said, “The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important.”

This is Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the deadly border clashes in eastern Ladakh in 2020, which had plunged the relationship into a freeze mode. His visit comes as part of a two-nation trip, with China being the second leg after Singapore. He is in the country to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting in Tianjin.

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The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020, culminating in a deadly clash in Galwan Valley in June that year. Tensions persisted until a disengagement agreement was finalised in October 2024, covering the final two friction points, Demchok and Depsang.

A major thaw in relations came when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan on October 23, 2024. This led to a decision to revive bilateral dialogue mechanisms and gradually stabilise the relationship.

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Just three weeks before Jaishankar’s visit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had travelled to China’s Qingdao for the SCO defence ministers’ meet.

(With inputs from PTI)

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