India and China’s Special Representatives for the border mechanism, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, met in Beijing on Wednesday to discuss a wide range of issues, including peace management along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the restoration of bilateral ties. These ties had been severely impacted by the military standoff in eastern Ladakh, which began in May 2020, following a deadly clash in Galwan Valley.

The meeting, marking the 23rd round of Special Representatives’ talks, was held after a five-year gap, with the last round taking place in 2019 in Delhi. Doval, leading the Indian delegation, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday to engage in the talks. The primary focus of the discussions was to rebuild bilateral relations, particularly following the disengagement agreement reached in eastern Ladakh on October 21, which aimed to resolve the last two friction points at Demchok and Depsang.

In advance of the talks, China expressed optimism about the discussions. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized China’s readiness to work with India in settling differences based on the mutual understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, 2023. Lin highlighted the importance of respecting each other's core interests, strengthening mutual trust, and resolving differences through sincere dialogue and communication.

The two Special Representatives were expected to discuss the management of peace and tranquillity in the border areas, as well as explore fair and mutually acceptable solutions to the longstanding boundary dispute. These talks are considered crucial in restoring stable and healthy bilateral relations between the two countries.

The military standoff, which escalated in 2020, had led to a significant strain on India-China relations. While trade between the countries continued, diplomatic and military engagement had largely frozen. The recent disengagement agreement marks a significant step toward de-escalation and the resumption of dialogue. This SR meeting is seen as a key structured engagement to restore the relationship and address the border issues systematically.

The Special Representatives mechanism, established in 2003 to address the 3,488 km India-China border dispute, has met 22 times over the years. While it has not yet succeeded in resolving the boundary issue, it remains a vital tool for addressing recurring tensions between the two nations.