Jaishankar’s Beijing Visit Aims to Reset India-China Ties Amid Lingering Border Tensions

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has embarked on a critical three-day visit to China, his first since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020, in an attempt to stabilise and strengthen India-China relations. His high-level engagements come at a pivotal moment, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tianjin on July 15.

High-Level Talks with Chinese Leaders

On Monday, Jaishankar held separate meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During these interactions, he stressed the importance of open dialogue in addressing the festering border dispute and bringing bilateral ties back on a constructive path. Jaishankar underlined that “healthy and steady relations” between the two nations must rest on the foundations of mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual interests.

Push for Border Peace and Trade Normalisation

Addressing the long-standing tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Jaishankar reiterated India’s stand for a stable, predictable relationship based on trust. He urged China to cooperate in easing border tensions, avoid restrictive trade practices, and promote people-to-people contacts. He pointed to the diplomatic momentum generated by the October 2024 Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan as a foundation to rebuild ties.

Focus on Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and Normalisation Steps

In discussions with Vice President Han Zheng, Jaishankar brought attention to broader opportunities created by the ongoing normalisation. One notable step has been the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after a five-year pause due to pandemic-related and border issues. Jaishankar described this development as a symbolic step forward and a potential turning point in building a forward-looking partnership.

India’s Tough Message on Terrorism at SCO

Alongside bilateral issues, Jaishankar strongly advocated for a “zero-tolerance policy” on terrorism within the SCO framework—an indirect reference to Pakistan’s alleged backing of cross-border terrorism. His remarks underline India’s aim to leverage regional platforms like the SCO to secure greater cooperation on counter-terror efforts. He reaffirmed India’s support for China’s leadership of the SCO while insisting on principled, security-first dialogue within the bloc.

Post-Galwan Rebuilding: A Fragile Yet Deliberate Thaw

This visit marks Jaishankar’s first to China since the violent 2020 Galwan Valley face-off, which left soldiers dead on both sides and severely strained ties. While leaders from both nations have met at multilateral forums since—including a G20 meeting in Johannesburg earlier this year—this standalone trip signals a deliberate effort to preserve the diplomatic thaw initiated in late 2024.

That thaw had led to an agreement to pause frontline confrontations along the LAC, allowing for resumed diplomatic and military-level talks. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit New Delhi next month for further discussions with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval under the Special Representatives mechanism for border resolution.

A Cautious Hope in a Complex Global Context

As the world navigates a fragmented geopolitical landscape, India and China appear to be seeking parallel but peaceful coexistence. Jaishankar’s meetings, including an expected session with President Xi Jinping on Tuesday, where he delivered greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, reflect India’s calculated effort to maintain regional stability without compromising on core interests.

In the backdrop of the SCO summit, Jaishankar’s visit serves as a nuanced attempt to balance engagement and assertion—a step toward turning an adversarial relationship into one of structured dialogue and cautious optimism.