India will resume visa services for Chinese tourists from Thursday after a five-year hiatus following the 2020 border conflict. The announcement was made by the Indian Embassy in China — weeks after the two countries announced diplomatic progress and agreed to ease visa rules and exchanges between their respective media and think tanks. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has since lauded the decision and noted that it would facilitate ‘highly beneficial’ cross-border travel.
“We take note of India’s resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. This is a positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries,” the Chinese MFA wrote on X.
Why were tourist visas suspended for five years?
Tensions between the two countries had escalated sharply in 2020 following a cross-border skirmish along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh. About 20 Indian soldiers were killed during the initial clash in Galwan Valley with multiple face-offs and partial disengagements in the subsequent days. India had also imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned hundreds of popular apps originating in the country and cut passenger routes.
The situation also coincided with the initial waves of the COVID-19 pandemic — with travel heavily regulated amid global lockdowns. China had also suspended visas to Indian citizens and other foreigners around the same time due to the virus outbreak. These curbs were eventually lifted in 2022 when Beijing resumed issuing visas for students and business travellers.
What changes from July 24?
Chinese citizens wishing to visit India on tourist visas will now be able to apply by filling out an online application form and subsequently attending an in-person appointment. They will have to schedule the meeting online and submit relevant documents including their passport and visa application form at Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
(With inputs from agencies)