In a major diplomatic move, India has quietly restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens worldwide.
This ends a five-year freeze imposed after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
The decision signals that both New Delhi and Beijing are working toward stabilising and normalising bilateral relations.
Officials say this step follows a July 2025 directive recommending the renewal of tourist visa services for Chinese nationals.
Part of a Broader Diplomatic Thaw
The visa resumption is part of a series of confidence-building measures throughout 2025:
Direct Flights Restarted
India and China signed an agreement in January 2025 to resume direct passenger flights.
On November 10, the first passengers from New Delhi arrived in Shanghai, welcomed personally by Consul General Pratik Mathur.
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Reopened
After five years, the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar resumed in June 2025.
The first group of Indian pilgrims successfully crossed into Tibet.
75-Year Diplomatic Milestone
April 1 marked 75 years of India-China diplomatic relations.
Leaders, including Presidents Xi Jinping and Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi and Premier Li Qiang, exchanged congratulatory messages, signaling renewed intent.
High-Level Diplomacy in 2025
The year also saw increased high-level exchanges between both countries:
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Beijing in July, noting ties were “gradually moving in a positive direction.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi in August to discuss border de-escalation and confidence-building measures with NSA Ajit Doval and EAM Jaishankar.
PM Modi visited China on August 31 for the SCO Summit in Tianjin, his first trip in seven years.
Both he and Xi highlighted the importance of viewing each other as “partners rather than rivals.”
A Carefully Coordinated Reset
The reopening of tourist visas caps a year of carefully sequenced diplomatic steps aimed at rebuilding trust.
While challenges, especially along the border, remain, the reopening of travel, pilgrimage routes, and people-to-people exchanges reflects a strong push from both sides toward cooperation, stability, and gradual normalisation of relations.
