External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. During his visit, Jaishankar met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday. He conveyed India's support for a successful Chinese presidency of the SCO.

Jaishankar expressed optimism that talks during his visit would help sustain the recent improvement in bilateral ties. He noted the steady progress in relations since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan last October.

In his opening remarks, Jaishankar highlighted that India and China recently marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. He also mentioned that the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is widely appreciated in India. He added that the continued normalization of ties could lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.

Acknowledging the complex global situation, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China as neighboring nations and major economies.

This visit marks Jaishankar's first trip to China in five years, following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash that strained relations between the two countries.

Jaishankar is also expected to meet his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, for a bilateral meeting. Both sides last met in February at a G20 meeting in Johannesburg, where they called for mutual trust and support. Jaishankar will attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tianjin.

Jaishankar also met with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev in Beijing to discuss the contribution and importance of the SCO and efforts to modernize its operations.