India-China Relations: Key Updates from SCO Summit 2025

On Tuesday, 15th July, 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishanker and his counterparts from SCO member nations met the Chinese President Xi Jinping. On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the EAM said he spoke with Xi Jinping. He briefed him on recent developments in the India-China bilateral ties. This was his first visit to China in six years.

In a post on X, Dr. Jaishankar said he conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu to the Chinese President. He also sent the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

“Called on President Xi Jinping this morning in Beijing along with my fellow SCO foreign ministers,” Jaishankar posted on X. “Conveyed the greetings of President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties. Value the guidance of our leaders in that regard.”

The External Affairs minister arrived in China on July 14 after concluding his visit to Singapore. He is on a two-day visit to attend a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This is his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020. The deescalation process in Eastern Ladakh was completed in October 2023 with disengagement at Depsang and Demchok.

Push for Bilateral Normalisation

On Monday, Dr. Jaishankar held a meeting with his counterpart Wang Yi. He said both countries had “made good progress in the past nine months. This progress is towards the normalization of our bilateral relations.” He spoke about a long-term approach to India-China bilateral ties. 

“Incumbent on us to address aspects related to the border, normalising people-to-people exchanges and avoiding restrictive trade measures & roadblocks. 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 had posted on X earlier.

He emphasized the need for mutual strategic trust between the two nations. He expressed how China’s export restrictions are harming India’s domestic manufacturing. A call for normalising relations and removing restrictive trade measures was made.

The two sides agreed to cooperate on resuming direct air services and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. They also agreed on cooperation regarding trans-border rivers through the sharing of hydrological data.

Anti-Terrorism Stand at SCO

Ahead of the SCO Summit, Dr. Jaishankar also raised the issue of terrorism. He reminded his Chinese counterpart that “the primary mandate of the grouping is to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is a shared concern and India hopes that zero tolerance for terrorism will be strongly upheld.”

Also read: India Refuses to Sign SCO Joint Statement: A Test of Autonomy

Wider Diplomatic Engagement

Dr. Jaishankar also met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday and noted the improvement in bilateral ties. He expressed India’s support for China’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency. This trip of EAM Jaishankar comes after the visits by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval also visited. They had travelled to China in June for the SCO meetings. 

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