External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing on Monday, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and cooperation between India and China amid a challenging global environment.

Jaishankar is in China to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. During his conversation with Han, he expressed optimism that his trip would contribute to maintaining the recent upward trend in India-China relations.

Opening the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed India’s full support for China’s current presidency of the SCO and reflected on the constructive direction of bilateral relations since the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan in October last year.

"It’s a pleasure to be here as part of the SCO Foreign Ministers' Meeting. India supports a productive Chinese presidency. Since the meeting between our top leaders in Kazan, we have seen consistent improvement in ties. I am hopeful that this visit will help build on that progress," Jaishankar remarked.

The minister also noted the recent commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries and said that India appreciated the revival of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage with deep cultural significance for Indian citizens.

Speaking on broader global issues, Jaishankar acknowledged the complexity of the current international climate and underlined the importance of India and China maintaining transparent and consistent communication.

"As large economies and neighbouring countries, it is vital that we continue open and constructive engagement, especially given the complex challenges the world is facing today," he said.