India-China Relation: Jaishankar visits China for the first time after the Galwan clash

India-China Relation: Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's first visit to China in five years has raised hopes of giving a new direction to India-China relations. His meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting in Tianjin is an important step towards meaningful dialogue between the two countries. The purpose of this visit is to improve the strained relations after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and lay the groundwork for restoring mutual trust. Jaishankar's bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi are also an important part of this visit.

China's trickery and lack of trust

This visit is taking place at a time when India-Pakistan tensions have increased after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, and China has shown its strategic move by giving military support to Pakistan. The lack of trust is clearly visible in India-China relations from 2020 to 2025. The Galwan clash turned the relationship between the two countries from cooperation to confrontation. The tension over the border dispute has reduced, but its effect can still be seen in the form of caution and distance between the two countries.

Modi-Xi meeting: Initiative of mutual trust

However, the relationship did not completely stall in these years. The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit in Russia gave positive signs. During this, Modi emphasized on resolving differences in a proper manner and maintaining peace in the border areas. He said that mutual trust, respect and sensitivity should be the basis of relations. At the same time, Xi stressed that both countries should have a positive attitude towards each other and work together.

Towards stability after Galwan

The June 2020 clash in the Galwan Valley brought the relations between the two countries to a low level. It was the most serious military confrontation in the last few decades. However, after this, to reduce the military deadlock in eastern Ladakh, both sides made agreements to withdraw troops and start patrolling. This agreement was considered a major success in reducing the tension that had been going on for four years. Since 2003, 20 rounds of talks have been held under the Special Representative mechanism, which reflects the commitment of the two countries to dialogue.

Russia's positive outlook

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently expressed hope for the early start of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral talks, referring to signs of improvement in India-China relations. He said that so far more than 20 meetings of this group have been held at the foreign ministers and other ministerial levels, which are important in promoting regional cooperation.

Time to move forward with caution

Jaishankar's visit can be an opportunity to start a new chapter in India-China relations. Even though the economic and political models between the two countries are different, there is a possibility of strengthening relations on the basis of shared interests and mutual respect. In the changed situation after Galwan, trust restoration is possible only through caution and dialogue. This visit can prove to be an important step in this direction.