India, China Pledge to Stabilize Ties, Advance Border Peace and People-Centric Cooperation

In a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at recalibrating India-China relations, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing on July 14, 2025. 

The bilateral meeting was held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers and focused on stabilizing ties, improving connectivity, and ensuring peace along the border.

Image Source: MEA/FM on X

During the talks, both sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and noted recent progress in areas of people-to-people engagement, particularly in commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between India and China. 

Dr. Jaishankar expressed appreciation for China’s cooperation in resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra—one of the most culturally significant religious pilgrimages for Indian citizens.

In a push for deeper people-centric cooperation, the ministers agreed on the need to take practical steps such as enhancing travel between the two countries and expanding direct air connectivity.

Addressing long-standing concerns, Dr. Jaishankar stressed the importance of peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) as the essential foundation for the overall development of India-China ties. 

He reaffirmed India’s support for continued dialogue to manage border issues and called for the resumption of hydrological data sharing on trans-boundary rivers—an issue critical for flood management in northeastern India.

India also raised its concerns about restrictive Chinese trade measures and the need for greater transparency and fairness in economic cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged views on key regional and global issues, with Dr. Jaishankar reiterating India’s support for China’s presidency of the SCO. 

Both ministers described the meeting as constructive and forward-looking, agreeing to maintain momentum through continued bilateral visits and diplomatic engagement.

In addition to the meeting with Wang Yi, Dr. Jaishankar also called on Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and met Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China. 

On July 15, Dr. Jaishankar participated in a formal call on Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussed progress in bilateral ties under the leadership of both nations.

The visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to balance strategic competition with areas of convergence. 

In a time of unprecedented global geopolitical shifts, India’s engagement through the SCO platform and its high-level meetings in Beijing signal a cautious yet deliberate attempt to stabilize and responsibly manage its complex relationship with China.