S. Jaishankar’s Visiting China After 5 Years: Diplomacy Under Pressure

Introduction: Diplomacy After Bloodshed

In June 2020, the Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh turned into a brutal battlefield as Indian and Chinese troops clashed in one of the deadliest confrontations since the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Twenty Indian soldiers were martyred. China, typically secretive, also suffered casualties. Since then, diplomatic relations have been strained, military tensions have simmered, and the India-China border remains a high-altitude flashpoint.

In this atmosphere of mistrust, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s post-Galwan visit to China stands out as a key moment in diplomatic history — one that sought to thaw frozen ties, manage crises, and reclaim a strategic narrative. Today, those talks echo amidst rising friction over Tibet, the Dalai Lama, and Arunachal Pradesh, placing Jaishankar’s mission in a broader geopolitical frame.

The Galwan Valley Clash: Trigger Point of a Cold Conflict

The June 15, 2020 Galwan Valley clash shocked both nations and the world. It was the first time in 45 years that Indian soldiers had died in a border conflict with China. The incident:

Occurred in Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Saw 20 Indian soldiers killed, including Colonel Santosh Babu.
Involved hand-to-hand combat with nail-studded clubs, as firearms were banned under earlier agreements.

India retaliated with:

A complete strategic recalibration of the LAC.
Increased military deployment and infrastructure building.
Banning Chinese apps and reducing import dependencies.
Intensifying diplomatic pressure via QUAD and global forums.

Jaishankar’s Diplomatic Mission to China: A Turning Point

In the aftermath, Dr. S. Jaishankar flew to China, meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and senior Communist Party leaders. Though not publicized extensively, the objectives were clear:

Demand immediate disengagement at all friction points.
Push for return to pre-April 2020 status quo.
Reestablish peace protocols and communication channels.
Send a global signal of India’s firm but rational diplomacy.

This meeting resulted in:

The Five-Point Consensus Agreement (September 2020, Moscow).
Resumption of military commander-level talks.
Stabilization of tension in Pangong Tso and Gogra.

Yet, trust remains fractured, and China continues to test boundaries.

Current Situation: India-China Border Stand-Off Persists

As of mid-2025, despite 20+ rounds of corps commander-level talks:

Hotspots remain unresolved, especially in Depsang Plains and Demchok.
China is aggressively building dual-use infrastructure: roads, heliports, and surveillance posts.
India is matching pace with rapid troop mobilization, tunnel projects, and airfield upgrades.
Buffer zones, earlier meant for de-escalation, are viewed by India as encroachments.

Tension in Arunachal Pradesh

China has repeatedly objected to Indian activities in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming it as “South Tibet.” In 2023 and 2024:

It renamed 30+ places in Arunachal with Chinese names.
Constructed villages close to the Indian border.
Objected to Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visits to the region.

The Tibet Factor and Dalai Lama Concerns

Why Tibet Matters Today

Tibet is at the core of Sino-Indian border tensions.
The 14th Dalai Lama lives in exile in Dharamshala, India.
China fears India’s support for Tibetan autonomy could threaten its hold on Tibet.

Dalai Lama’s Succession: A New Fault Line

With the Dalai Lama turning 90 in coming years:

China insists it will select the next Dalai Lama.
India, on the other hand, maintains religious independence should decide the succession.
If India allows the Tibetan Buddhist community in India to choose a successor, it could provoke serious backlash from China.

Prema Khandu’s Bold Statement: Arunachal is Ours

In a bold counter to China’s claims, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prema Khandu stated:

“We don’t share a border with China; we share a border with Tibet.”

This powerful statement:

Challenges China’s claim over Arunachal Pradesh.
Resonates with Tibetan exiles, asserting a separate identity from China.
Was widely supported across India, reflecting the growing sentiment of standing up to Chinese expansionism.

China reacted sharply, calling the statement “unacceptable,” but India stood firm.

Bilateral Talks: Dialogues Continue, But Distrust Remains

Corps Commander-Level Talks

India and China have held 21 rounds of military talks. Outcomes:

Partial disengagement in Pangong Lake.
Ongoing stalemate in Depsang, Demchok.
Repeated violations by Chinese patrols.

Diplomatic Dialogues

Regular meetings under Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC).
India insists on restoration of full status quo ante.
China remains vague, pushing economic ties while delaying disengagement.

Other Key Friction Points

Galwan and Pangong Buffer Zones
- India lost traditional patrolling access.
- Creates tension within Indian defense circles.
Infrastructure Race
- China’s Western Theater Command has upgraded airfields.
- India’s BRO and ITBP are responding with new roads and posts.
Chinese Cyber Espionage
- Indian agencies have flagged surveillance drones, malware attacks, and espionage attempts along sensitive zones.

Geopolitical Implications

India’s QUAD alignment continues with Japan, US, and Australia.
India strengthens ties with Taiwan, ASEAN, and the EU.
China sees India as a regional counterforce, especially in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific.

India’s Strategy Moving Forward

Short Term

Maintain high-altitude military readiness.
Continue controlled dialogue.
Build strategic deterrents across LAC.

Long Term

Push for UN recognition of China’s aggression.
Develop a robust Tibet policy.
Back Tibetan self-determination subtly.
Prepare for Dalai Lama succession battle.

Conclusion

S. Jaishankar’s visit to China post-Galwan was a diplomatic landmark that showcased India’s approach to conflict management: firm, measured, and deeply strategic. But the conflict is far from over. As tensions over Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and border sovereignty increase, India must navigate both confrontation and cooperation.

From Galwan’s shadows to Tawang’s ridges, the road ahead requires vigilance, vision, and veracity.

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