External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s recent visit to China marks a notable push to steady and rebuild India–China ties after years of heightened border tensions. On 15 July 2025, Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing along with fellow Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers. Carrying greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jaishankar underlined the importance of leadership-level guidance in navigating the complex bilateral relationship.
After the meeting, Jaishankar posted that he had “apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties” and reaffirmed how crucial it is for top leaders to steer the way forward. The meeting held particular significance as it was Jaishankar’s first visit to China since ties soured dramatically following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
The trip, anchored around attending the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, also included detailed talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Both sides acknowledged a measured improvement in relations over the past nine months—largely driven by de-escalation steps at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially after the 2024 disengagement agreement that resolved friction points at Depsang and Demchok.
Jaishankar emphasised the need to keep this momentum going by resolving pending border concerns and promoting a forward-looking, constructive approach. He also urged easing restrictive trade barriers and reviving people-to-people ties to normalise relations fully. There was a shared view that differences should not be allowed to harden into disputes, and that more stable ties would serve not only India and China but the wider region.
Renewed engagement, including plans to revive the Special Representatives’ dialogue, has brought cautious optimism. The return of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year pause further hints at a slow thaw, even though serious challenges remain on the road to full normalisation.