Jaishankar meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing; 1st since 2020 Galwan clash

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This was the first meeting between the two leaders since the Galwan Valley clash of June 2020.

Jaishankar said he met Chinese president Xi Jinping on Tuesday as part of the delegation of foreign ministers attending the meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

"Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties," Jaishankar said in a post on X, accompanied by a picture of him shaking hands with Xi.

The External Affairs Minister had on Monday held detailed talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said expressed confidence that ties can develop along a positive trajectory on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity.

"Held detailed talks with Politburo Member and FM Wang Yi in Beijing this evening.  Spoke about the need for a far-seeing approach to bilateral ties and building a stable & constructive relationship. Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalizing people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks," he said.

"Confident that on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, ties can develop along a positive trajectory. Look forward to attending the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin tomorrow. India is committed to ensuring good outcomes and decisions," he added.

In his opening remarks during meeting with Wang Yi, Jaishankar noted that India and China have made good progress in the past nine months for the normalization of bilateral relations due to resolution of friction along the border in eastern Ladakh.

He said it is now incumbent on the two sides to address other aspects related to the border, including de-escalation.

He also called for avoiding restrictive trade measures and roadblocks are avoided.