Beijing/New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing today and expressed confidence that his discussions with Chinese leaders would maintain the ‘’positive trajectory’’ in relations between New Delhi and Beijing.
In his opening remarks during his meeting with Vice President Han Zheng, Dr Jaishankar said India-China relations had been steadily improving since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October.
“I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory,’’ he said and added that continued normalization of Bilateral India-China ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes.
He said that as neighbouring countries and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important because of the ‘’very complex international situation.’’ He said he looked forward to such discussions during this visit.
Pointing out that both countries have marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Dr Jaishankar said the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is widely appreciated in India. The Kailash-Mansarovar yatra resumed in 2025 after a five-year hiatus triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and border tensions between the two countries.
The External Affairs Minister is visiting China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting tomorrow. This is his first visit to China after ties between the two countries took a hit following the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in 2020.
He extended support to a successful Chinese presidency at the SCO
The SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting at Tianjin will be attended by Foreign Ministers of other SCO member countries and heads of SCO’s permanent bodies. They will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues. In addition to attending the meeting.
Dr Jaishankar is expected to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including rare earth supplies to India, the Dalai Lama succession, the recent India-Pakistan tensions and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also visited China last month to attend the 20th Meeting of the SCO Security Council Secretaries.
Doval also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and underlined the urgency of addressing terrorism in all its forms. He emphasized the need to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to maintain overall peace and stability in the region.
Doval had called on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng along with other Heads of Delegation attending the meeting.
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