Discuss the role of confidence-building measures such as the Special Representatives mechanism and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in normalising India–China ties.

Confidence-building measures (CBMs) are steps that reduce mistrust between rivals without settling their core disputes. The 2020 Eastern Ladakh standoff froze ties. Since then, India and China have used CBMs at several levels (political, military and between peoples) to move from disengagement towards normalisation [3].

Special Representatives (SR) mechanism: the political anchor

• Institutional channel: it was set up in 2003 to explore a framework for a boundary settlement, and 24 rounds have been held so far [3].
• Restarting dialogue: the 23rd round (Beijing, December 2024) and the 24th round (New Delhi, August 2025), between NSA Ajit Doval and FM Wang Yi, came after the October 2024 agreement on patrolling arrangements [3].
• Creating sub-mechanisms: the WMCC came out of the 15th SR round (2012). With the Senior Commanders' talks, it handled disengagement from the 2020 friction points [3].
• Summit outcome: at Tianjin (August 2025), PM Modi spoke of peace and stability after disengagement and an SR understanding on border management [2].

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra (KMY): rebuilding ties between peoples

• Symbolic thaw: the KMY was stopped from 2020 [4]. It resumed in 2025 via Lipulekh and Nathu La after nearly five years, and continued in 2026 [3].
• Soft-power value: the pilgrimage is sacred to Hindus, Jains and Buddhists, so its return signals goodwill directly to ordinary citizens.
• Related CBMs: direct flights resumed in October 2025. The Expert Level Mechanism (2006) covers flood-season river data [3]. The Joint Declaration recognised the value of Brahmaputra and Sutlej flood data [5].

Limits of CBMs

• They manage the dispute but do not resolve it: after 24 rounds the boundary is still unsettled. Because the LAC is not marked on the ground, routine patrols can still lead to face-offs.
• They can be reversed: the KMY was suspended once, partly because arrangements were not renewed [4], so it could be suspended again.
• They leave key issues untouched: India has asked China for transparency and consultation on its Yarlung Tsangpo mega-dam [6].

Overall, CBMs have turned the post-2020 freeze into a managed thaw. The SR mechanism has stabilised the border, and the KMY has rebuilt public goodwill. To make this last, India should push SR talks beyond border management towards a clearly marked LAC, and use the ELM to secure river data in every season. Predictable, rule-based engagement of this kind serves India's interest in a peaceful neighbourhood and in long-term regional stability.