India and China: A Diplomatic Thaw on the Horizon

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India and China: A Diplomatic Thaw on the Horizon

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit China for SCO meetings, marking a significant step in mending strained ties after the 2020 military standoff. This follows recent diplomatic engagements and disengagement efforts along the LAC.

S. Jaishankar's Visit Signals Renewed Engagement Amidst Border Strains

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is poised for a significant visit to China around July 13, 2025, to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This trip marks Dr. Jaishankar's first to China since bilateral relations soured following the 2020 military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

This upcoming visit is a crucial indicator of efforts to mend the strained ties between the two Asian giants. The visit comes hot on the heels of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's attendance at the SCO Defence Ministers' conference in Qingdao last month, showcasing a renewed push for engagement.

Sources close to the matter indicate that Dr. Jaishankar is likely to hold bilateral talks with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing before heading to Tianjin for the SCO Foreign Ministers' conclave, scheduled for July 14 and 15. China, as the current chair of the SCO, is hosting these high-profile meetings.

Adding to the diplomatic momentum, there's a strong possibility of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visiting India this month. His potential visit would facilitate a fresh round of talks with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval under the framework of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue on the long-standing boundary dispute. NSA Doval previously visited Beijing in December and again last month for SCO-related security discussions.

The military face-off in eastern Ladakh, which began in May 2020 and saw a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June of that year, severely impacted India-China relations. However, a significant step towards de-escalation was achieved with the completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points, Demchok and Depsang, under an agreement finalised on October 21, 2024.

The decision to revitalise the SR mechanism and other dialogue formats was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan on October 23, 2024, just two days after the Depsang and Demchok disengagement pact was firmed up.

In recent months, both nations have embarked on a series of measures aimed at repairing bilateral ties. Notably, the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra resumed last month after a five-year hiatus, a positive sign of restored cooperation and trust.

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