What happened?
On his first visit to China since the 2020 border standoff, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met President Xi Jinping in Beijing during the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting on July 15, 2025. He conveyed greetings from Indian leaders and discussed recent progress in India-China ties. At the meeting, Jaishankar called on the SCO to take an uncompromising stance against terrorism, separatism, and extremism, citing the April 2025 Pahalgam attack.
Why it matters to India
Jaishankar’s remarks reaffirm India’s commitment to counterterrorism within the SCO framework and promote regional stability. He emphasized respect for sovereignty, economic cooperation, and improved connectivity through the INSTC. Strengthening India-China dialogue and reaffirming India’s role in regional forums signal Delhi’s strategic engagement ahead of the SCO Leaders’ Summit.