Beijing/IBNS: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has strongly favoured "an open exchange of views and perspectives" between India and China in his first visit to Beijing since the 2020 Galwan clash.

In the course of his meeting with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, Jaishankar said, "The international situation, as we meet today, is very complex. As neighbouring nations and major economies, an open exchange of views and perspectives between India and China is very important. I look forward to such discussions during this visit."

"We have marked 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," he added.

The minister said the bilateral relationship, which plummeted after the deadly Galwan clash, is improving after a meeting between India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The military of the respective countries in the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have already returned to the pre-Galwan position. 

"Our bilateral relationship, as you have pointed, has been steadily improving since the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October. I am confident that my discussions in this visit will maintain that positive trajectory," said Jaishankar. 

Jaishankar's visit is the latest in a series of high-profile trips by Indian officials to China since tensions between the two sides began to de-escalate late last year.

The visit might also lay the groundwork for a potential visit by Modi to the SCO leaders' summit this fall.

According to Chinese local media, PM Modi has been "warmly" invited by the Chinese ambassador to India, but New Delhi is yet to confirm his attendance.

Wang is also expected to travel to India in July to discuss border issues with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, people familiar with the matter said.

Last month, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao.

Singh, however, refused to sign the joint statement that did not mention the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack but carried Balochistan unrest.

The document mentioned the Balochistan unrest obliquely accusing India of causing the situation prevailing in the Pakistani region despite New Delhi's repeated rejection of its involvement.