Summary
- EAM S. Jaishankar met Xi Jinping in Beijing during his first China visit since the 2020 Galwan clash.
- India pressed for de-escalation at the LAC and removal of trade barriers in talks with Wang Yi.
- Despite progress, tensions persist over Dalai Lama succession and China’s alignment with Pakistan.
Border Shadows and Diplomatic Gestures: India and China Reopen the Door
In a high-stakes diplomatic engagement steeped in symbolism and strategic calculus, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing—the first such top-level interaction since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ gathering, signals a cautious attempt to thaw icy bilateral ties that had entered deep freeze mode following the eastern Ladakh standoff.
Jaishankar conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while briefing Xi on “recent developments” in bilateral ties. Though light on public detail, the meeting is part of a calibrated diplomatic reboot, aligned with a broader push to pave the way for PM Modi’s expected visit to China later this year for the SCO Leaders’ Summit.
This moment also marks Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the 2020 crisis—suggesting a diplomatic reset in motion, even as fault lines remain far from resolved.
#HOT ⚡ #NEWS 🌍 @DrSJaishankar #चीन के #XiJinping से #Beijing में मिले
— Global Indian Voice – Tv (@aglobalindian) July 15, 2025
S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tue & apprised him about the recent development of the India-China relationship.
He was accompanied by counterparts from #SCO member nations! pic.twitter.com/tXq4aD11gf
What Jaishankar Told Wang Yi: Progress Yes, Peace Not Yet
- Jaishankar emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- He urged Beijing to dismantle trade roadblocks and avoid “restrictive measures.”
- Stressed that strategic competition must not evolve into open conflict.
- Dialogue was framed as progress, but deeper trust remains elusive.
During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar stated that while bilateral normalization has “made good progress” over the past nine months—particularly following the disengagement at Demchok and Depsang—de-escalation remains non-negotiable.
He also raised concerns over China’s trade restrictions, particularly those targeting India’s access to critical minerals—a growing concern as both nations race to secure clean energy supply chains. In essence, Jaishankar called on Beijing to decouple trade policy from border tensions and restore economic engagement on a fair footing.
Yet the real headline from this meeting was conceptual, not tactical. He warned that differences must not become disputes, and competition must not lead to conflict—a clear signal that while channels have reopened, India is entering talks with a cautious eye and hard-learned lessons from Galwan.
Galwan Ghosts and Diplomatic Dilemmas: Can Peace Hold?
- The 2020 Galwan clash still haunts bilateral perceptions.
- Disengagement agreements in 2024 reduced troop tension—but not mistrust.
- India is wary of China’s increasing alignment with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- The Dalai Lama succession issue is emerging as a new geopolitical flashpoint.
Though the optics of Jaishankar’s visit appear promising, the undercurrents are anything but resolved. The Galwan Valley—where 20 Indian soldiers were killed—remains a wound in the national psyche. Despite the 2024 disengagement agreement, trust remains thin.
Adding friction are China’s unwavering ties with Pakistan, particularly visible during India’s Operation Sindoor, the post-Pahalgam terror crackdown. Beijing’s public support for Islamabad, and its strategic inroads into Bangladesh, are raising red flags in South Block.
Then there’s the Dalai Lama succession issue—a timebomb in India-China relations. China’s firm stance on controlling the reincarnation narrative stands in direct opposition to India’s position, which backs the Tibetan religious community’s autonomy. For Beijing, it’s a sovereignty issue; for India, it’s both humanitarian and strategic.
The outcome? Even as dialogue resumes, sensitive issues continue to smolder, threatening to reignite tensions if not carefully managed.
SCO Diplomacy or Strategic Chess? Modi’s Visit in the Balance
- Jaishankar’s visit sets the stage for a potential Modi-Xi meeting at the SCO Leaders’ Summit.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s earlier visit to Qingdao marked the first such trip in a decade.
- The current thaw may be temporary unless structural issues are addressed.
- India’s balancing act between de-risking ties and preparing for strategic autonomy continues.
Jaishankar’s China mission appears to be part of a coordinated diplomatic roadmap, which began with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s rare trip to Qingdao last month. These visits are not just routine foreign policy—they’re calibrated moves ahead of the high-profile SCO Summit, where PM Modi and President Xi could potentially meet face-to-face.
Yet India’s foreign policy calculus is clearly shifting. While willing to talk, New Delhi remains committed to strategic de-risking, economic diversification, and stronger military deterrence in the Himalayas. Any attempt to normalize relations without visible Chinese reciprocity on border matters or trade barriers will likely be met with hesitation in New Delhi.
Verdict: Cautious Reset, Fragile Peace
Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing marks a turning point—but not a resolution. It reflects India’s commitment to dialogue, but also its hardened strategic maturity in the aftermath of Galwan. As India and China edge back toward structured diplomacy, the real challenge lies not in talking, but in restoring trust without compromising sovereignty.
Whether this thaw translates into lasting normalization—or fizzles amid the next flare-up—will depend on what happens next at the LAC, in trade negotiations, and behind closed doors in Beijing and New Delhi.
