EAM Jaishankar meets Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, stresses on normalisation of ties

External affairs minister S Jaishankar with Chinese vice president Han Zheng in Beijing. (Photo from X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday and noted the improvement in bilateral ties. Jaishankar expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory.

Jaishankar met Han in Beijing shortly after arriving in China to attend a meeting of foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). This is his first visit to China since bilateral ties were hit by border clashes in April-May 2020.

During his meeting with Han Zheng, Jaishankar expressed India's support for China's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Presidency.

Jaishankar stated that India and China have marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties. He mentioned that the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is widely appreciated in India.

He said, "India supports a successful Chinese presidency at the SCO. Excellency, our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory."

He said, "We have marked, Excellency, the 75th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is also widely appreciated in India. Continued normalization of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes."

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to meet Vice President Han Zheng soon after my arrival in Beijing today. Conveyed India's support for China's SCO Presidency. Noted the improvement in our bilateral ties. And expressed confidence that discussions during my visit will maintain that positive trajectory."

In his opening remarks at the meeting with Han, Jaishankar expressed confidence that discussions during his visit will maintain that positive trajectory. He noted that the ties between two nations have been improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan.

He also talked about the prevailing international situation. He said, "The international situation, as we meet today, Excellency, is very complex. As neighboring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important. I look forward to such discussions during this visit."

(With ANI inputs)