India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, July 14, and highlighted that the continued normalisation of ties between India and China could lead to “mutually beneficial” results.
The meeting came at the start of Jaishankar’s three-day visit to China to attend the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Tianjin.
This visit marks Jaishankar’s first to China since the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which had severely strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. While he has interacted with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of multilateral events over the past few years, this meeting is seen as a key step in reviving high-level dialogue.
Shortly after arriving in China, Jaishankar held talks with Vice President Han. In his opening remarks, he said, “Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed out, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory.”
My opening remarks at the meeting with Vice President Han Zheng of China.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 14, 2025
https://t.co/9eAAZQuwoM
As India and China mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, Jaishankar pointed to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as a notable development. The pilgrimage had been suspended for five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions.
He said, “The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes.”
Speaking about the larger global picture, he added, “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.”
After the meeting, Jaishankar shared an update on social media, writing, “Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India’s support for China’s SCO Presidency. Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory.”
Jaishankar’s visit comes at a time when both countries have been seeking to rebuild trust, with several rounds of military and diplomatic talks already held to manage tensions along the Line of Actual Control. His remarks and meetings during this visit are expected to set the tone for further engagement in the coming months.
