Indian minister's China visit marks restart in relations amid volatile US trade policy

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's first visit to China in nearly six years has highlighted New Delhi's increasing appetite for improved ties with Beijing, marking an ongoing reset for the "dragon and elephant" amid the growing global uncertainty fuelled by US President Donald Trump's trade and foreign policies.

- Nirmala Ganapathy

A deadly border clash in 2020 in the Galwan valley along the disputed border in the Ladakh region had derailed Sino-Indian ties. It's only since October 2024 that the two countries have started working towards stabilising ties, with the pace of the diplomatic engagement picking up.

In a meeting with Vice-President Han Zheng on July 14, Dr Jaishankar, who was on a two-day visit to China, noted that the "international situation... is very complex".

"As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important," said the Indian minister, underlining how global events are pushing the two countries to stabilise ties.

A read-out by China's Foreign Ministry on July 14 following the meeting between Vice-President Han and Dr Jaishankar noted that "it is the right choice for both sides to be partners in mutual achievement and realise the 'dragon-elephant tango' (referring to the dance between their emblematic animals)", as two major developing countries and important members of the Global South.

While in China for a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers, Dr Jaishankar also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and called on President Xi Jinping.

The visit comes amid a backdrop of growing global trade alongside increasing geopolitical tensions and contestations.

The Trump administration has threatened additional tariffs against the Brics grouping and any country that buys oil from Russia — moves which, if implemented, would adversely affect India and China.

India's interim trade deal with the US to reduce reciprocal tariffs has already taken longer than expected.

And Mr Trump's outreach to India's rival Pakistan — including hosting Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir and taking credit for a ceasefire between the two countries following their military clashes in April — has unnerved India.