Jaishankar Meets Xi Jinping in First Major Talk Since Border Clash

India and China Signal Diplomatic Thaw with Key Meeting

In a significant move to mend strained relations, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, marking his first visit to the country in five years. The meeting, the first of its kind since the violent border clash in 2020, signals a mutual effort to stabilize ties after a long period of military and diplomatic tension.

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The discussions took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers' meeting. In a post on social media, Jaishankar confirmed he conveyed greetings from India's leadership and updated President Xi on the recent progress in bilateral relations. This high-level engagement follows a disengagement agreement reached in October 2024 covering the final two friction points along the border, paving the way for the revival of dialogue.

A central theme of the visit was the urgent need for de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). During a separate meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Jaishankar emphasized that both nations must build on recent progress to resolve outstanding border issues. He also urged China to avoid restrictive trade practices, highlighting that competition should not escalate into conflict.

This diplomatic effort is seen as preparing for a potential visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the SCO Leaders' Summit later this year. However, significant challenges persist. Issues such as the succession of the Dalai Lama and China's unwavering support for Pakistan continue to be major points of friction that could complicate the path toward full normalization of the relationship.