In a significant diplomatic outreach, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, reaffirming India’s commitment to regional cooperation. Shortly after his arrival, he met China’s Vice President Han Zheng, marking a key moment in the ongoing efforts to stabilise and improve India-China relations. The visit, which follows his strategic stopover in Singapore, underscores New Delhi’s focus on strengthening regional ties through high-level engagement and multilateral dialogue.
1. Jaishankar Meets Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met Han Zheng, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, in Beijing. The meeting took place shortly after his arrival in the Chinese capital to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ (CFM) Meeting. The interaction marked a significant diplomatic engagement between the two neighbouring countries amid efforts to stabilise bilateral relations.
2. India Reaffirms Support for China’s SCO Presidency
In a message shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Jaishankar stated that he conveyed India’s support for China’s presidency of the SCO. China is currently hosting the CFM meeting as part of its rotating leadership in the regional security and development organisation.
3. Positive Momentum in India-China Ties Highlighted
The EAM noted visible improvement in bilateral relations between India and China. He expressed hope that the discussions during his visit would maintain and enhance this positive trajectory. The mention of improving ties comes in the backdrop of efforts by both sides to resolve issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and restore normalcy.
4. High-Level Diplomatic Engagements at SCO CFM in Tianjin
Dr. Jaishankar is in China to participate in the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers’ Meeting being held in Tianjin under the Chinese presidency. The meeting includes foreign ministers from all SCO member countries and is a key platform for regional dialogue on security, economic cooperation, and multilateralism.
5. Bilateral Meetings on Sidelines of SCO Meet
During his stay in China, Jaishankar is expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts from other SCO member states. These interactions are aimed at strengthening India’s diplomatic footprint and exploring regional cooperation on trade, connectivity, and security.
6. Singapore Visit Preceded China Trip
Before arriving in Beijing, Dr. Jaishankar paid a day-long visit to Singapore. There, he held extensive discussions with top Singaporean leadership, including President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, and Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan.
7. Focus on India-Singapore Economic Cooperation
In Singapore, the EAM reviewed the progress made during the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Talks revolved around the second round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), with a focus on areas such as investment, infrastructure, semiconductors, skill development, industrial parks, and physical and digital connectivity.
8. Meeting with Temasek Chairman-Designate
Dr. Jaishankar also met Teo Chee Hean, the former Senior Minister and incoming Chairman of Temasek Holdings, Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund. Their discussions centred on India’s ongoing economic transformation and opportunities for Temasek to expand its investments in key Indian sectors.
9. India’s Strategic Push for Regional Engagement
The visits to Singapore and China are part of India’s broader strategy to deepen engagement with Asian powers. With growing geopolitical and economic competition in the region, India is focusing on sustained high-level diplomacy to secure its strategic interests and foster regional stability.
10. Emphasis on Multilateral Cooperation and Dialogue
Through his participation in the SCO meeting and bilateral talks, Dr. Jaishankar is reinforcing India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation, regional peace, and economic integration. The engagements come at a time when the global order is facing multiple challenges, and countries are recalibrating their diplomatic and trade strategies.
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