S. Jaishankar's Upcoming Visit to China: A Step Towards Normalizing Relations

Jaishankar's First Visit to China Post-Galwan Clashes

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to arrive in Beijing on Sunday evening, marking his inaugural trip to China since the violent confrontations in the Galwan Valley. This visit is significant as both nations aim to ease tensions and restore diplomatic ties.

During his stay, Jaishankar will engage in discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with their last interaction occurring in February at the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Additionally, Jaishankar is scheduled to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tianjin on July 15. The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that he will conduct several bilateral meetings alongside the summit.

This visit comes at a time when India-China relations are notably strained. Previously, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited China for the SCO meeting. Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month for talks with Doval regarding border issues.

Despite ongoing diplomatic engagements, India's concerns have been heightened by China's recent trade restrictions, which include halting the supply of critical items such as rare earth magnets and fertilizers essential for India's bullet train project. Furthermore, China's backing of Pakistan during recent conflicts has added to India's apprehensions.

In June, India declined to endorse the SCO declaration due to the omission of its terrorism concerns, particularly regarding the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, while incidents in Pakistan were acknowledged.

The SCO is a 10-nation organization comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran, with its 25th summit planned for Tianjin later this year. India chaired the organization in 2023, and the next summit is set to take place in Pakistan in 2024.

The Galwan clash in 2020 marked the deadliest encounter on the India-China border in four decades, resulting in casualties on both sides and a significant deterioration in relations. However, following a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, last October, both nations agreed to resume discussions involving special representatives.

Amid these developments, a positive note is the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly five years. It remains uncertain whether Prime Minister Modi will attend the upcoming SCO summit.