At a high-level diplomatic meeting in Beijing on July 14, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that relations between India and China are “gradually moving in a positive direction,” following months of cautious engagement and a shared desire to reduce tensions along the disputed Himalayan border.

Jaishankar, in Beijing for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Council meeting, held discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, where he underlined New Delhi’s commitment to rebuilding trust and promoting “mutually beneficial cooperation.” The series of talks marked a significant moment in the ongoing recalibration of India-China ties after years of diplomatic chill, especially since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020 that led to the deaths of soldiers on both sides and cast a long shadow over bilateral ties.

The Indian foreign minister’s remarks are being interpreted as part of a broader diplomatic effort to reset the relationship without ignoring the deep-rooted challenges. According to Jaishankar, progress has been made primarily due to de-escalation efforts and relative calm along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the de facto border between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

“Since our leaders’ meeting in Kazan in October 2024, the India-China relationship has been gradually moving in a positive direction,” Jaishankar said, referring to a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS summit. “Our responsibility is to maintain that momentum.”

This statement reflects a shared understanding reached during the Kazan summit, where both sides agreed to shift gears........

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