India-China Special Representatives mechanism has lost its sheen

The SR mechanism has been in place since 2003 and since then 23 meetings have been held.

Following the 23rd round of talks between the Indian Special Representative and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the Chinese Special Representative, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office, Wang Yi on 18 December 2024 in Beijing, both sides, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) "reached six consensuses in a positive and constructive manner". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in its press release stated that the Special Representatives (SRS) "provided positive directions for cross-border cooperation and exchanges including resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, data sharing on trans-border rivers and border trade".

The SRs meeting is an outcome of the Modi-Xi meeting in Kazan on 21 October that broke ice between the two sides post Galwan clashes and paved way for normalisation of bilateral relations. An agreement was reached on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in Depsang and Demchok areas, that led to disengagement and de-escalation of the frontline troops. India had resolutely advocated that restoration of status quo ante and peace and tranquillity along the LAC was a prerequisite for normalisation of relations.

China, on the other hand, had argued that the border should be placed in an appropriate position in the bilateral relations.