The Special Representative mechanism on the India–China boundary question (SR/SRM) was constituted in 2003 to "explore from the political perspective of the overall bilateral relationship the framework of a boundary settlement". Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the capacity of Minister of External Affairs of India, had first suggested the SR mechanism during his visit to China in 1979. During another visit to China by Vajpayee, this time in the capacity of Prime Minister, in June 2003, the mechanism was mentioned in an agreement between the two countries. The latest mention of the SR mechanism was in a joint press statement between India and China on 10 September 2020.
During the 4th round of talks in 2004, Dai Bingguo suggested that the SR mechanism follow a 3 step formula for the settlement of the India–China boundary question:
Establish the political parameters and guiding principles Establish the framework for a final package settlement Delineate and demarcate the boundary
The first step was completed with the Agreement on the Political Parameters and Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the India–China Boundary Question being signed in 2005. The second phase of negotiations began with the sixth round of talks.
During the 15th round of the SR talks in 2012, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination was set up.
Rounds of talks 23–24 October 2003 12–13 January 2004 28 July 2004 18–19 November 2004 10–11 April 2005 24–28 September 2005 11–14 March 2006 24–28 June 2006 17–18 January 2007 20–22 April 2007 September 2007 September 2008 7–8 August 2009 29–30 November 2010 16–17 January 2012 28–29 June 2013 10–11 February 2014 23 March 2015 20–21 April 2016 22 December 2017 24 November 2018 21 December 2019 18 December 2024 19 August 2025
List of Special Representatives
China No.ImageNamePeriod1Dai Bingguofrom 20032Yang Jiechifrom 20133Wang Yifrom April 2018
India No.ImageNamePeriod1Brijesh Mishrafrom June 20032Jyotindra Nath Dixitfrom June 20043M. K. Narayananfrom January 20054Shivshankar Menonfrom January 20105Ajit Dovalfrom May 2014
Commentary A former ambassador of India, Sourabh Kumar, questioned the three step approach, saying that it could be approached in a reverse manner.
Sinologist B. R. Deepak says that within three years, the SR mechanism, along with other CBMs, were redundant and consistently violated.
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