In a major step toward improving India-China relations, the Indian Embassy in Beijing has announced that tourist visas for Chinese citizens will be issued again starting July 24, 2025.
This marks the end of a five-year pause caused by the Galwan Valley border clash and the COVID-19 pandemic, which had greatly disrupted travel and communication between the two countries.
Chinese travelers can now apply for Indian tourist visas online and complete the process by visiting the Indian Embassy in Beijing or consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
China Welcomes India’s Decision
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called India’s move a “positive step.” Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that lifting travel restrictions will benefit both countries.
He added that China is ready to keep talking with India to make cross-border travel easier, which can help improve both diplomatic ties and people-to-people connections.
Tourist Travel Before the Pandemic
In 2019, before COVID-19, more than 300,000 Chinese tourists visited India, while nearly 870,000 Indian travelers went to China.
These numbers dropped sharply after both countries suspended visas and cancelled flights during the pandemic.
China has already reopened its borders to Indian students, businesspeople, and tourists, granting about 85,000 visas from January to June 2025. Until now, India was only issuing visas to students and business travelers from China.
Diplomatic Efforts Behind the Move
The decision follows recent high-level talks between both nations.
These include Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan last October, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Beijing in mid-July.
The discussions covered restarting the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, resuming direct flights, and rebuilding strategic trust.
Tensions Over China’s Water Projects Continue
Despite warming ties, India and Bangladesh remain concerned about China’s large 60,000 MW Medog hydropower project on the Yarlung Sangpo (Brahmaputra) River.
China claims the project is within its rights, but India and Bangladesh have raised concerns about environmental risks and potential disasters.
China says it is sharing water flow data and remains in contact with downstream countries.
Looking Ahead
The restart of tourist visas is both a symbolic and practical step toward better India-China relations.
While serious issues like border tensions and water disputes remain, the reopening for tourism shows that both sides are willing to engage again.
More progress—like resuming direct flights and allowing religious pilgrimages—may happen before PM Modi’s visit to the SCO summit in late August.
