Beijing: India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, marking an important engagement during his ongoing visit to China. As part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers' call on the Chinese President, Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and apprised President Xi of the recent developments in India-China bilateral relations, emphasising the guidance of the leaders in this regard.

This visit is Jaishankar's first to China since the violent confrontation in Galwan Valley in May 2020, signalling a renewed push for diplomatic engagement between the two Asian giants. The EAM is in China primarily to attend the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers' Meeting (CFM) in Tianjin.

On Monday, Jaishankar held a series of high-level meetings aimed at deepening dialogue and cooperation. He met with Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (IDCPC), to discuss the need for a constructive India-China relationship. He also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a senior member of the CPC Political Bureau. During his talks with Wang Yi, Jaishankar underscored the importance of a long-term approach to resolving bilateral issues, including those related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges, and avoiding restrictive trade measures. He expressed confidence that ties could develop positively based on mutual respect, interest, and sensitivity.

Further engaging with Chinese leadership, the EAM also met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, reiterating that continued normalisation of India-China ties holds potential for mutually beneficial outcomes. He stressed the critical need for an open exchange of views and perspectives between the two major neighbours and economies, particularly in the complex current global environment.

Highlighting a positive step in the bilateral relationship, Jaishankar welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which had been suspended since 2020 due to the pandemic and border tensions, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties.

India's participation in SCO meetings has intensified recently, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval's visits to China in June for security-focused SCO discussions. The ongoing CFM meeting, where Jaishankar represents India, is a preparatory step for the 25th Heads of State Council meeting of the SCO later this year in Tianjin. The SCO, a permanent intergovernmental organisation comprising India, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Belarus, focuses on counterterrorism, security, economic cooperation, and regional connectivity.

With inputs from IANS