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The Print
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
India's ‘triple anxiety'—What Chinese media sees in Jaishankar's Beijing visit
Much of the Chinese chatter frames India's outreach as an olive branch. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing 72 hours ahead of the SCO meet and met Vice President Han Zheng , an unusual protocol break interpreted as urgency. On Weibo, the hashtag 'Indian External Affairs Minister visits China after five years' sparked considerable discussion. One post bluntly read : 'India appeared to act quickly in an effort to appease China.' The mood across Chinese policy circles and online platforms suggests that Beijing sees this as more than symbolic. Some interpret Jaishankar's trip as a recalibration of India's China policy; others view it as a tactical retreat driven by economic and strategic compulsions. Either way, the visit reflects the complex realities shaping India-China relations today. Chinese media and online commentators are abuzz : Why did India's External Affairs Minister, widely viewed as a 'China hawk', suddenly moderate his tone during his recent China visit? S Jaishankar's visit, his first to China in five years, and the first since the 2020 Galwan clashes, was ostensibly for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Foreign Ministers' Meeting. But to many Chinese observers, this was no routine diplomatic engagement. The optics were striking. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's choice of meeting venue—the Fujian room of the Great Hall of the People, dominated by a mural of the Himalayas, was rich with symbolism. It served as a visual reminder that, while China is open to dialogue, its red lines [Line of Actual Control and Tibet] remain non-negotiable. A commentator mentioned that Jaishankar's usual tough rhetoric was notably absent. His earlier warnings that neighbours must 'obey or pay the price' gave way to calls for 'dialogue', 'communication', and mutual respect for 'each other's core interests'—this perceived shift was dismissed by online commentary as 'second cowardice', it viewed it as a sign of retreat rather than pragmatism. Chinese analysts argue that Jaishankar's early arrival was not just about diplomacy; it was a response to what they perceive as India's triple anxiety: India's rare earth crisis, breakdowns in shipping routes, and its waning influence in BRICS and the SCO. They also suggest that India's economic vulnerabilities, especially in electronics and pharmaceuticals, are pushing it closer to China, despite geopolitical tensions. The speculation is that New Delhi may be hoping for a softening of China's export restrictions on rare earth minerals in exchange for a more flexible Indian stance on multilateral issues. In this framing, what appears to be diplomacy is economic triage. One commentator offers a bleak assessment of India's position, arguing that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's balancing act between the US and China is unravelling, leaving India isolated within the SCO and exposing its 'wall-rider' strategy as untenable. They described Jaishankar's visit as 'Modi's life-saving straw,' a desperate attempt to salvage ties. Chinese critics contend that since the Trump administration, Washington has treated India more like a subordinate than a partner, pressuring it to purchase expensive US weapons. From this perspective, India is playing with the two powers, gaining little from either. Also read: China's information war against Rafale Warnings and veiled threats Chinese strategic voices are issuing veiled threats to India. Liu Zongyi, Director at the Centre for South Asian Studies in Shanghai, called India a 'chronic internal cancer' within the SCO, accusing it of obstruction and opportunism. He urged Beijing to focus less on wooing Modi and more on reforming the organisation. Xie Chao, Associate Research Fellow, Center for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, cautioned that India's growing closeness with the US would only deepen friction with China, warning that the balancing act was 'nearing its end.' Another commentator pointed to India's stance on the China-Pakistan nexus and said the region could no longer afford old confrontations. 'India has great opportunities, it should seize them wisely,' he wrote, in what read like both advice and a warning. Jin Cangrong, a distinguished professor at Renmin University, accused India of harbouring hegemonic ambitions in South Asia and of clinging to a colonial mindset. Border dispute, he argued, stems not from Chinese aggression but from India's historical delusions of grandeur. In a direct clash, Jin predicted, India would find itself outmatched—not militarily, but institutionally, hindered by weak reform and an outdated leadership class. 'India can intimidate its smaller neighbours,' he said, 'but China will not be bullied.' Also read: Victor Gao claims all land north of Ganga for China. People say he's a 'diplomatic fighter' A dismissal of Beijing's outreach Chinese discourse suggests that Modi's China policy has fallen short of Delhi's expectations. The fallout from the US-China tariff war has revealed the limits of aligning with the West. In this view, renewed engagement with China is not a diplomatic gesture but a strategic necessity, driven by both economic and geopolitical imperatives. Jaishankar's visit has been widely portrayed in Chinese discourse as a concession, reinforcing the image of China's policy as righteous, muscular and unyielding. This narrative, however, overlooks Beijing's own quiet overtures and the broader pressures informing India's measured approach. It also underestimates the nuance of Indian foreign policy, which, despite its contradictions, is shaped by strategic interests, not submission, appeasement, or fear. Sana Hashmi, PhD, is a fellow at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation. She tweets @sanahshmi. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
NDTV
14-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
EAM Jaishankar In China For Key SCO Meet, Hails 'Positive Trajectory' In Ties
In today's episode of India Global, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing. He has called for an open dialogue between the two countries amid what he described as a complex global situation. Jaishankar, who is in China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, expressed confidence that talks during his visit would help sustain the recent improvement in bilateral ties. NDTV's Gaurie Dwivedi speaks with strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney to discuss this and more. Show Full
The Wire
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Jaishankar Urges ‘Continued Normalisation' of India-China Ties in First Beijing Visit Since Border Standoff
Diplomacy Jaishankar arrived in Beijing to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with several bilateral meetings scheduled on the sidelines. New Delhi: On his first visit to China in five years, external affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on July 14 (today) called for the 'continued normalisation' of India-China relations, which have begun to thaw over the past nine months following the resolution of the protracted border standoff. Jaishankar arrived in Beijing to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, with several bilateral meetings scheduled on the sidelines. His first engagement was a delegation-level discussion with Chinese vice-president Han Zheng, ahead of a formal meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi. In his opening remarks, Jaishankar said that ties had 'been steadily improving' since the October 2024 meeting between prime minister Narendra Modi and president Xi Jinping in Kazan. He expressed confidence that his visit would help sustain this 'positive trajectory'. '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 normalisation of our ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes,' said Jaishankar The Chinese readout stated India had conveyed its readiness to be guided by the leaders' consensus and 'maintain the momentum of the development' of bilateral ties, while enhancing coordination and communication through multilateral mechanisms. Vice-president Han Zheng welcomed the positive developments since the Kazan meeting, which he described as marking the 'restart' of China-India relations. Noting the two countries' roles as major developing economies and key members of the Global South, Han described the partnership as essential for achieving 'mutual achievements. He added that 'dancing with dragons and elephants' was the right choice for both sides, and called for further implementation of the consensus reached by their leaders. 'The two sides must further… adhere to high-level leadership, steadily advance practical cooperation, respect each other's concerns and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-India relations,' said the Chinese foreign ministry readout. Jaishankar, for his part, described the international landscape as 'very complex', and underscored the need for open exchanges between the two neighbours and major economies. He also said that India supports China's presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The Indian prime minister is likely to visit China later this year to take part in the SCO leaders' summit. Modi and Xi had last met in Russia on the sidelines of the 2024 BRICS summit, which had marked the resumption of high-level engagement after more than four years of strained ties, stemming from the border incursions in April-May 2020 and the deadly Galwan Valley clash that followed in June. Since the resolution of the military standoff in October 2024, both sides have engaged more frequently at high levels. While recent statements suggest both New Delhi and Beijing are looking to stabilise relations, core differences persist. These underlying tensions were highlighted in the aftermath of the four-day military clash between India and Pakistan earlier this year, when Indian military officials alleged that China had provided real-time defence support to Pakistan during the conflict. Verbal rhetoric, especially from China, has also flared up over the question of the Dalai Lama's succession. After the Tibetan spiritual leader indicated plans to identify his successor, Beijing asserted that any reincarnation would require its approval. Union minister Kiren Rijiju initially voiced support for the Dalai Lama's stance before backtracking, calling it a personal opinion. The Indian government later said it had 'no position' on the matter. Despite the clarification, the issue continued to draw attention in Indian public discourse. On July 13, Chinese embassy spokesperson Yu Jing responded sharply, calling Tibet 'a thorn in China-India relations and a burden for India'. In a post on X, she warned that 'playing the 'Xizang card' will definitely end up shooting oneself in the foot.' The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Jaishankar in Beijing: Seeks positive trajectory in India-China ties
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing, highlighting improved bilateral ties and expressing India's support for China's SCO Presidency. He also held talks with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev and will attend the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Tianjin on July 15. Show more Show less
United News of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Discussions with Chinese leaders will maintain 'positive trajectory' in bilateral ties :EAM
Beijing/New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing today and expressed confidence that his discussions with Chinese leaders would maintain the ''positive trajectory'' in relations between New Delhi and Beijing. In his opening remarks during his meeting with Vice President Han Zheng, Dr Jaishankar said India-China relations had been steadily improving since Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. 'I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory,'' he said and added that continued normalization of Bilateral India-China ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes. He said that as neighbouring countries and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important because of the ''very complex international situation.'' He said he looked forward to such discussions during this visit. Pointing out that both countries have marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Dr Jaishankar said the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is widely appreciated in India. The Kailash-Mansarovar yatra resumed in 2025 after a five-year hiatus triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and border tensions between the two countries. The External Affairs Minister is visiting China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' meeting tomorrow. This is his first visit to China after ties between the two countries took a hit following the military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in 2020. He extended support to a successful Chinese presidency at the SCO The SCO Foreign Ministers' meeting at Tianjin will be attended by Foreign Ministers of other SCO member countries and heads of SCO's permanent bodies. They will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various fields and major international and regional issues. In addition to attending the meeting. Dr Jaishankar is expected to hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. Sources said the two leaders are expected to discuss a range of issues, including rare earth supplies to India, the Dalai Lama succession, the recent India-Pakistan tensions and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval also visited China last month to attend the 20th Meeting of the SCO Security Council Secretaries. Doval also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and underlined the urgency of addressing terrorism in all its forms. He emphasized the need to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations to maintain overall peace and stability in the region. Doval had called on Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng along with other Heads of Delegation attending the meeting. UNI RB RKM
