Indian FM Jaishankar's first China visit in 5 years
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing on Monday, marking his first visit to China in five years. This significant trip is widely seen as a concerted effort to repair the profoundly strained relationship between the two Asian giants, which has been under immense pressure since the deadly military confrontation in the Galwan Valley in 2020.
The visit is a major step towards normalizing ties, which have been under severe strain since the deadly 2020 military standoff in the Galwan Valley. In a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Mr. Jaishankar called for the “continued normalisation” of the relationship, pointing to the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as a positive development that is “widely appreciated in India.”
Upon his arrival, Jaishankar immediately held a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, setting a hopeful tone for his visit.
In his first official engagement, Jaishankar told Vice President Han Zheng that the relationship between India and China has been steadily improving. He pointed to the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, last October as a turning point.
"I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory," Jaishankar said during his opening remarks. He also noted that the two countries are marking the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and that the recent resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a holy pilgrimage for Hindus, is widely appreciated in India.
Highlighting the need for communication, 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."
While in China, Jaishankar will attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' in Tianjin on Tuesday, and will also hold bilateral talks with his counterpart Wang Yi.
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