Beijing, July 14 — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has stated that India-China relations have been progressing positively since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October 2024. Speaking during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar emphasized the need for a forward-looking and strategic approach to bilateral ties.
“Our bilateral relationship requires a far-seeing approach. Since the Kazan meeting, our relations have gradually improved. It is our responsibility to sustain this momentum,” he said.
Jaishankar noted that the two countries have made significant progress over the past nine months, particularly in reducing friction along the border and maintaining peace and tranquillity. He highlighted the importance of de-escalation as a next step in building mutual strategic trust.
This is Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in May 2020. He is in the country to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.
Congratulating China on a successful SCO Presidency, the EAM pointed out that recent international meetings have allowed both sides to maintain strategic communication. He also expressed appreciation for China’s cooperation in resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra after a five-year pause.
Jaishankar stressed the need to normalize people-to-people exchanges and remove trade barriers, which could enhance mutually beneficial cooperation. He also underscored that as both countries mark 75 years of diplomatic ties, stable and constructive relations are in the interest of the entire world.
“We have always agreed that differences should not become disputes, nor competition lead to conflict. With mutual respect and sensitivity, we can keep developing ties along a positive trajectory,” Jaishankar stated.
Both ministers are set to discuss global and regional issues, with a focus on counter-terrorism under the SCO framework.
