EAM Jaishankar Meets SCO Chief In Beijing; Discusses Efforts To Modernise Organisation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev in Beijing on Monday, engaging in discussions centred on the increasing significance of the SCO and the ongoing efforts to modernise its operations.

The meeting took place during Jaishankar’s three-day visit to China to participate in the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Tianjin.

Following the talks, Jaishankar shared on social media, “Glad to meet SCO SG Nurlan Yermekbayev in Beijing today. Discussed the contribution and importance of SCO, as well as the endeavors to modernize its working.”

This diplomatic engagement precedes the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the SCO, scheduled later this year in Tianjin.

India, having assumed the SCO Presidency in 2023, passed the baton to Pakistan, which hosted the Leaders’ Summit in 2024.

The SCO remains a permanent intergovernmental organisation comprising India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus, focusing on political, economic, and security cooperation within the region.

Jaishankar’s visit follows recent high-level Indian participation in SCO-related events, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s visits to China in June for defence and security-focused SCO meetings.

Bilateral talks with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng

Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing. He stressed that the ongoing normalisation of ties between India and China holds potential for ‘mutually beneficial’ outcomes.

Jaishankar underlined the importance of open dialogue and exchange of perspectives between the two major neighbouring economies.

In his opening remarks, he noted, “Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed out, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory.”

Marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China, Jaishankar pointed to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, suspended for five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and border tensions.

He remarked, “The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Referring to the current global environment, Jaishankar added, “The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important.”

He expressed anticipation for productive discussions during his visit.

Significance of the visit

This marks Jaishankar’s first visit to China since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, which severely strained bilateral relations.

While the External Affairs Minister has engaged with his Chinese counterpart at multilateral forums since then, this visit represents a crucial step in revitalising high-level diplomatic engagement amid ongoing border concerns.

Jaishankar’s meetings underline India’s commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through the SCO, modernising the organisation, and nurturing improved bilateral relations with China.

These efforts are expected to contribute to stability and mutual growth in the region.

Also Read: EAM Jaishankar Meets Chinese Vice President In Push To Normalise Ties