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Special Representative mechanism on the India–China boundary question

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The China–India border, showing two large disputed areas in Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh and several smaller disputes (a map by the CIA)

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.[1] 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.[2][3]

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:[2]

  1. Establish the political parameters and guiding principles
  2. Establish the framework for a final package settlement
  3. 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.[2] The second phase of negotiations began with the sixth round of talks.[4]

During the 15th round of the SR talks in 2012, the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination was set up.[5]

SRs Dai Bingguo and J. N. Dixit in 2004, 3rd round of talks
SRs Dai Bingguo and M. K. Narayanan in 2006, 7th round of talks

Rounds of talks

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  1. 23–24 October 2003[2]
  2. 12–13 January 2004[2]
  3. 28 July 2004[6]
  4. 18–19 November 2004[2]
  5. 10–11 April 2005[2]
  6. 24–28 September 2005[2]
  7. 11–14 March 2006[2]
  8. 24–28 June 2006[2]
  9. 17–18 January 2007[2]
  10. 20–22 April 2007[2]
  11. September 2007[2]
  12. September 2008[2]
  13. 7–8 August 2009[2]
  14. 29–30 November 2010[2]
  15. 16–17 January 2012[2]
  16. 28–29 June 2013[7]
  17. 10–11 February 2014[8]
  18. 23 March 2015[9]
  19. 20–21 April 2016[10]
  20. 22 December 2017[11]
  21. 24 November 2018[12]
  22. 21 December 2019[13]

List of Special Representatives

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China

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No. Image Name Period
1 Dai Bingguo from 2003[2]
2 Yang Jiechi from 2013
3 Wang Yi from April 2018[14]

India

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No. Image Name Period
1 Brijesh Mishra from June 2003[2]
2 Jyotindra Nath Dixit from June 2004[2]
3 M. K. Narayanan from January 2005[2]
4 Shivshankar Menon from January 2010[2]
5 Ajit Doval from May 2014

Commentary

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A former ambassador of India, Sourabh Kumar, questioned the three step approach, saying that it could be approached in a reverse manner.[15]

Sinologist B. R. Deepak says that within three years, the SR mechanism, along with other CBMs, were redundant and consistently violated.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Deepak 2020, p. 65.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Deepak 2020, pp. 65–68.
  3. ^ "Joint Press Statement - Meeting of External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Minister of China (September 10, 2020)" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Framework to resolve Indo-China Border dispute" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 1 December 2005. Retrieved 4 March 2021 – via Press Information Bureau.
  5. ^ Panda 2017, p. 43.
  6. ^ "China, India hold 3rd round meeting on border". in.china-embassy.org. Embassy of China, New Delhi. 28 July 2004. Retrieved 26 February 2021.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "16th Special Representatives' Meeting for the India-China Boundary Question". gatewayhouse.in. Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  8. ^ "17th Round of Talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  9. ^ "18th Round of Talks between the Special Representatives of India and China on the Boundary Question" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  10. ^ "19th Special Representatives' Meeting on China-India Boundary Question to be Held in Beijing". mfa.gov.cn. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
  11. ^ "20th Meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China (December 22, 2017)" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  12. ^ "21st Meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China (November 24, 2018)" (Press release). Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  13. ^ "22nd Meeting of Special Representatives of China and India Held in New Delhi". fmprc.gov.cn. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. 21 December 2019. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Wang Yi to be China's new special representative for border talks with India". The Economic Times. Press Trust of India. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  15. ^ Kumar, Sourabh (13 December 2014). "India's China diplomacy: looking back to look ahead". The Pioneer. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  16. ^ Deepak 2020, p. 73.
Bibliography
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