Jaishankar Meets Chinese President Xi Jinping, First Time After Galwan Clash

<p><span class=”css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3″>External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called on President Xi Jinping in Beijing during his first visit to China in the last six years. Jaishankar said he conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jinping.</span></p>
<p><span class=”css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3″>”Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President <a title=”Droupadi Murmu” href=”https://news.abplive.com/topic/droupadi-murmu” data-type=”interlinkingkeywords”>Droupadi Murmu</a> and Prime Minister. </span><span class=”css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3″>Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard,” he wrote on X.</span></p>
<h2><span class=”css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3″>Jaishankar Meets Chinese Counterpart Wang Yi</span></h2>
<p>Jaishankar held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Monday when he urged both nations to build on the “good progress” made so far in normalising bilateral ties, while pushing for further steps towards border de-escalation and the removal of restrictive trade measures.</p>
<p>During his opening remarks at the meeting, Jaishankar emphasised that India-China relations can move in a positive direction only if certain principles are upheld.</p>
<p>”The bilateral relations can develop in a positive trajectory on the foundation that differences should not become disputes, and nor should competition become a conflict,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<p>He underlined that ties must be built on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.</p>
<p>This is Jaishankar&rsquo;s first visit to China since ties between the two countries deteriorated in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which the minister is attending during a two-day visit.</p>
<h2>Jaishankar Calls For Counter-Terror Cooperation</h2>
<p>Jaishankar also noted the need for all members to uphold a commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism, a statement interpreted as a veiled reference to Pakistan&rsquo;s support for cross-border terrorism.</p>
<p>In a statement issued in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the discussions as &ldquo;constructive and forward-looking&rdquo;, with both sides agreeing to expand people-to-people exchanges, enhance direct flight connectivity, and facilitate travel between the two countries.</p>
<p>Jaishankar also raised the issue of trans-border river cooperation, particularly the resumption of hydrological data sharing by China, which is critical information for downstream Indian states during the monsoon season.</p>
<p>Jaishankar also held separate discussions with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, where he reiterated that sustained normalisation of bilateral ties will result in mutually beneficial outcomes for both nations.</p>
<p>India and China have been cautiously working to stabilise relations, especially since the military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) began in October 2023. Over the past nine months, the two countries have held several diplomatic and military-level talks to address lingering tensions.</p>
<p>The recent visit is being viewed as a key step towards rebuilding strategic trust and managing ongoing challenges in the complex bilateral relationship.</p>