External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during a visit for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The meeting took place on Tuesday morning, with Jaishankar joined by other foreign ministers who were also attending the SCO event.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Chinese President. He also shared updates about recent developments in India-China relations. In a message shared on social media platform X, Jaishankar said, “Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard.”
Jaishankar highlighted the importance of the leadership of both countries in shaping the direction of their relationship. He said India deeply values the role that the top leaders of both nations play in guiding their diplomatic path.
This meeting was seen as an important step toward improving the strained ties between the two countries. Relations between India and China have been tense since the violent border clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020, which led to the loss of soldiers on both sides. Since then, talks and meetings have continued at different levels, but progress has been slow.
The meeting with President Xi came just a day after Jaishankar had another key meeting in Beijing — this time with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. According to Chinese state media agency Xinhua, both leaders agreed that India and China should work on improving relations and increasing cooperation.
Vice President Han referred to a past meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that took place in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024. He said that meeting marked “a new starting point” in the relationship between the two Asian powers.
Jaishankar’s visit to China is significant as it is the first time he has travelled to the country since the 2020 Galwan Valley incident. His trip is part of a two-day tour to attend the SCO conclave, which includes several member countries working on matters of regional cooperation, security, and development.
Both India and China are key members of the SCO, and such high-level meetings on the sidelines of these events provide an opportunity to rebuild trust.
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In their talks, the leaders from both sides agreed on the importance of keeping communication open, solving disagreements peacefully, and exploring ways to work together on areas like trade, connectivity, and regional stability.
The recent meetings may not solve all the issues between India and China, but they are a sign that both sides are ready to talk. The border dispute is still a major point of conflict, but leaders are focusing on dialogue to avoid further tension.
By highlighting past meetings and showing respect at the highest levels, both sides are trying to bring the relationship back on track. While the path ahead may still be difficult, diplomatic efforts like this visit by Jaishankar are important steps toward peace and cooperation.
For now, the visit has sent a positive message: that despite past differences, both countries are open to building a better future together — with leadership, trust, and communication playing key roles.
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