In a major development, India has restarted issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens.
This service has been restored immediately through Indian embassies and consulates across the world.
The move comes after almost four years of suspension and is being viewed as an important step toward improving India-China relations after the recent border tensions, according to reports from Hindustan Times.
Flight services between Kolkata and Guangzhou also resumed on October 26, and IndiGo has started direct flights from India to Guangzhou.
Visa Suspension Lifted After Four Years
Tourist visas for Chinese nationals were stopped in April–May 2020 after the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
Relations fell to a historic low after the violent Galwan Valley clash, where 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers lost their lives.
Government sources have confirmed that Indian missions worldwide have now begun accepting tourist visa applications from Chinese passport holders.
However, the government has not yet made an official announcement.
Steps Taken to Improve Relations
The decision to restore visas is part of several recent efforts by both countries to stabilize relations:
Direct Flights: Commercial flights between India and China resumed in October 2024 after being suspended since early 2020.
Religious Pilgrimage: The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra is being resumed.
Simplified Visa Procedures: Visa rules for travellers have been made easier.
Diplomatic Celebrations: Both nations celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations.
In July 2024, India had started issuing tourist visas in limited numbers through its missions in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. This has now been expanded to Indian missions globally.
Impact of High-Level Diplomatic Talks
The improvement in relations comes after several important high-level discussions.
In October 2024, India and China agreed to disengage troops from the front lines along the LAC.
Later, during a meeting in Kazan, Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping agreed to revive bilateral mechanisms and make progress on issues like the border dispute.
Multiple rounds of talks have since taken place between the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, National Security Advisor (NSA), and Special Representatives on border matters.
These discussions have helped reopen areas such as border trade, economic cooperation, and other joint activities.
China has also eased some of India’s key trade concerns, including restrictions on rare earth mineral exports.
