Beijing/New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, stressing the need for continued progress in normalising bilateral ties by resolving border issues, ensuring de-escalation, and avoiding restrictive trade practices.
Jaishankar, in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting, said that stable India-China relations must be based on mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity.
Key Highlights from the Meetings
- Jaishankar said progress over the last nine months in resolving border frictions had helped build trust.
- He urged further de-escalation at remaining points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- He emphasized that restrictive trade measures, especially China’s curbs on rare earth exports, must be avoided to foster economic cooperation.
- On terrorism, Jaishankar made an indirect reference to Pakistan, urging the SCO to uphold zero tolerance for terrorism, in line with its mandate.
“Differences should not become disputes, nor should competition become conflict,” he told Wang Yi during their televised meeting.
Context: The LAC Standoff
Relations between India and China had plummeted since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, which killed 20 Indian and at least 4 Chinese soldiers. Though the military standoff in Ladakh has seen partial troop disengagement, complete de-escalation has yet to be achieved at some friction points like Depsang and Demchok.
Jaishankar noted that resolving these border tensions is essential for building mutual strategic trust.
Trade and Economic Concerns
While not naming specific items, Jaishankar appeared to reference China’s restrictions on rare earth mineral and fertilizer exports, which have impacted India’s EV and agricultural sectors.
He said normalising people-to-people exchanges and reducing trade obstacles are vital for cooperation between two major global economies.
On the SCO and Terrorism
Referring to the SCO’s mandate, Jaishankar stressed the need for strong consensus against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.
His remarks come weeks after Pakistan objected to a reference to the Pahalgam terror attack in a communique at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting, leading to India’s refusal to endorse the final document.
Bilateral Diplomatic Push
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to China since 2020, although he has met Wang on the sidelines of multiple multilateral summits. Their meeting follows the Modi-Xi Jinping meeting in Kazan last October, where both leaders agreed to improve ties and revive diplomatic mechanisms.
“Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum,” Jaishankar told Wang, adding that recent interactions should become a regular feature between both countries.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumes
Jaishankar also thanked China for resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a 5-year pause, noting its significance as both a religious pilgrimage and a sign of improving relations. India and China are also marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
Chinese Viewpoint
According to Xinhua, Vice President Han Zheng expressed that India and China, as major players in the Global South, should focus on mutual success, respect, and pragmatic cooperation.
Tibet Remarks Cloud Mood
Despite the diplomatic tone, tension lingered. A day before Jaishankar’s visit, a Chinese embassy spokesperson described issues related to Tibet and the Dalai Lama as a “thorn” in bilateral relations. Beijing opposes the Dalai Lama’s recent claim that only his trust can recognize his reincarnation — an issue India says is a religious matter and not for New Delhi to comment on.
Conclusion
Jaishankar’s visit marks a cautious but deliberate step toward stabilising India-China ties, balancing diplomacy with firm positions on border, trade, and counter-terrorism. His meetings highlight both the opportunities and the lingering challenges in one of Asia’s most complex bilateral relationships.