EAM Jaishankar To Visit China For SCO Meet Amid Renewed Diplomatic Push

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will embark on a three-day visit to China from July 13, marking his first trip to the country since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that strained bilateral relations between the two Asian neighbours.

The visit begins in Beijing, where Jaishankar will engage in bilateral meetings before heading to Tianjin to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

China currently holds the presidency of the SCO, making this a crucial diplomatic opportunity for all member states, including India.

While Jaishankar has interacted with his Chinese counterpart at various multilateral events, this visit is a significant standalone development.

It follows the October 2023 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan—the first such high-level bilateral dialogue in nearly five years.

During that meeting, PM Modi emphasised anchoring the future of India-China relations in three mutuals: mutual respect, mutual sensitivity, and mutual trust.

Since then, diplomatic momentum has continued with visits to Beijing by NSA Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

Terrorism & regional security high on agenda

Last month, NSA Doval addressed the 20th SCO Security Council Secretaries’ meeting in Beijing, strongly condemning the threat posed by terror groups including LeT, JeM, Al Qaeda, and ISIS.

NSA Ajit Doval also highlighted India’s counter-terror operations like Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack.

In meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, both sides agreed on the importance of bilateral cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and coordinated action against terrorism to ensure regional peace and stability.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also recently met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun in Qingdao, where discussions centred on maintaining peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Rajnath Singh noted progress in stabilising border tensions but stressed the importance of a permanent, structured approach to resolve remaining issues.

The two sides also acknowledged the symbolic resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra after a five-year hiatus and celebrated 75 years of India-China diplomatic relations.

EAM Jaishankar’s upcoming visit is expected to further reinforce India’s multi-pronged diplomatic approach, maintaining strategic autonomy, advocating regional security, and engaging constructively with China.

The SCO platform will also provide India with a wider stage to assert its interests and promote regional cooperation across Central and South Asia.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor Symbolises The Spirit Of Swaraj, Says HM Amit Shah At NDA Event