Jaishankar Seeks China Dialogue amid Beijing’s Tibet Red Line

Jaishankar’s Beijing Visit Signals Thaw in India-China Ties, Focuses on Dialogue and SCO Cooperation

By MANISH ANAND

NEW DELHI, July 14, 2025 – External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar arrived in Beijing today for his first visit to China in five years. The visit is being seen as a significant step toward normalizing relations that have remained tense since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

India appears more eager to ease tensions with China, even as Jaishankar’s visit was preceded by a sharply worded statement from the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, which reiterated that the issue of Tibet remains a major irritant in bilateral ties. The tone of the post shared on X by Chinese spokesperson Yu Jing was aggressive, domineering, and condescending. She went so far as to chide Indian media and scholars for their views on Tibet and the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

In his opening remarks during a meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of “open exchange of ideas on all issues.”

While China has not sent any senior official to New Delhi for more than a year, India is actively reaching out to Beijing. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have all visited China in recent months. China is expected to reciprocate by sending Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi in the coming weeks for Special Representative-level talks on border management with Doval.

Beijing reacted angrily to celebrations marking the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, which were attended by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, along with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended warm greetings to the Tibetan spiritual leader, prompting strong objections from China.

In recent months, China has been increasingly assertive in its expansionist rhetoric. During his participation in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Conference, Wang Yi urged the Western world to adhere to the ‘One China Policy’ and “abandon support for Taiwan.” Beijing has also declared the issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation as central to its sovereignty — a veiled warning to countries, including India, against recognizing any future Tibetan leader not endorsed by the Chinese government.

China’s aggressive posture may be bolstered by the perceived isolationism of U.S. President Donald Trump. His escalating tariff threats have driven several U.S. allies to seek closer ties with Beijing. On Monday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a six-day visit to China. A recent report by the French parliament also advocated stronger European Union ties with China while reducing dependence on the U.S. Meanwhile, China’s exports rose by over five percent in June, despite global trade disruptions.

Amid growing Chinese geopolitical assertiveness and an unpredictable U.S. foreign policy under Trump, India appears keen to fast-track the normalization of ties with Beijing. China, for its part, would welcome full restoration of relations to capitalize further on its trade surplus with India, which already exceeds $100 billion.

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About The Author

Manish Anand

Manish Anand is a senior journalist with more than two decades of hardcore reporting on beats such as Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, BJP, Congress, Planning Commission, NITI Aayog, and scores of Union Ministries.

His past has been with The New Indian Express, The Asian Age/Deccan Chronicle, and The Statesman.

For about 15 years, Manish was also a regular commentator and host for talks on AIR on foreign affairs.

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