New Delhi: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri concluded his two-day visit to Beijing on 29 July after holding a series of high-level meetings with senior Chinese leaders, reviewing the entire spectrum of India-China relations and discussing ways to carry forward the gradual normalisation of bilateral ties. The visit marked another significant step in the renewed diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours following the easing of tensions after the prolonged border standoff.
During his discussions with Hua Chunying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Misri reviewed the complete range of bilateral issues and explored ways to advance the understanding that India and China should view each other as partners and development opportunities rather than competitors. The talks also focused on achieving mutually beneficial outcomes in trade and economic cooperation while expanding engagement across multiple sectors.
According to the Embassy of India in Beijing, both sides recognised the importance of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the India-China border areas, reiterating that stability along the frontier remains essential for the overall development of bilateral relations.
Misri’s visit came against the backdrop of steadily improving ties after years of strained relations following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes and the military face-off that continued for more than four years.
Political dialogue and people-to-people exchanges
The foreign secretary began his official engagements on 28 July with a meeting with Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The two leaders discussed implementing the guidance provided by the leadership of both countries for improving bilateral relations. Their discussions covered issues of priority for both sides while emphasising greater political engagement, people-to-people contacts, academic collaboration and think-tank exchanges. India’s Ambassador to China Vikram Doraiswami participated in the meeting.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). They discussed ways to enhance bilateral exchanges at the political and people-to-people levels: Indian… pic.twitter.com/acRHB8vTcD
— IANS (@ians_india) July 27, 2026
Misri also met Hong Liang, Deputy Secretary General of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), where both sides deliberated on strengthening exchanges at political and societal levels. The discussions focused on expanding dialogue between institutions and encouraging greater interaction among people of the two countries. Hong previously served as Director General of the boundary department of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, adding significance to the discussions on bilateral engagement.
The Embassy of India stated that both sides explored mechanisms to deepen political contacts and broaden people-to-people interactions as part of the ongoing effort to rebuild mutual confidence.
Broader Reset in Bilateral Relations
On 29 July, Misri also met Li Wentang, Vice President of the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China. During the interaction, he received a briefing on the institution’s historical significance, intellectual contributions and academic programmes while discussing possibilities for future cooperation and exchanges between the two countries. Official sources confirmed that the meeting with Li concluded Misri’s Beijing visit.
The foreign secretary’s visit followed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 21 July in Manila on the sidelines of meetings linked to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
During that meeting, Jaishankar noted that India-China relations had been gradually normalising since Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Kazan in 2024, with the positive trajectory reaffirmed during their subsequent meeting in Tianjin in August 2025.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in Beijing. Meets Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Sun Haiyan pic.twitter.com/qu40m0H2sL
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) July 27, 2026
He emphasised that a stable and cooperative relationship should be built on the principles of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual sensitivity, arguing that such ties would contribute to both a multipolar Asia and a multipolar world. Jaishankar also called for fair market access and a balanced trade relationship between the two countries.
Misri’s visit represents the latest phase in the diplomatic reset that has gathered pace over the past year. Recent confidence-building measures have included the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, renewed issuance of visas, and progress towards the resumption of direct flight services between India and China.
By reviewing the full gamut of bilateral relations with multiple Chinese leaders and exploring cooperation across political, economic, academic and societal domains, the visit underscored both countries’ efforts to consolidate the ongoing normalisation process while maintaining peace along the border and expanding avenues for future engagement.
