India Resumes Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals After Five Years
New Delhi: After a five-year break, India has declared the reinstatement of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. This move comes just ahead of a potential visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China for the upcoming SCO summit next month.
Both nations aim to encourage exchanges between their people to improve relations. China has shown enthusiasm for this decision, seeing it as a step towards normalizing their connection, especially as they look to restart direct flight services.
On July 24, the Indian embassy in Beijing announced the visa resumption on Weibo, while the two countries also engaged in further diplomatic discussions regarding border issues. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing peace along their borders, which contributes to a gradual thaw in relations.
Since Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping last year in Kazan, India and China have been in regular high-level communications, particularly following an agreement to pull back troops from areas of conflict in eastern Ladakh. The return of tourist visas marks a significant step forward, following the resume of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage services.
The Chinese foreign ministry welcomed India’s decision, stating, “This is a positive move. Easing cross-border travel benefits everyone involved. China is committed to continuing dialogue with India to make travel easier for both sides.”
Furthermore, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is expected to visit India soon for additional boundary talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. With relations improving, it is likely that Modi will attend the SCO summit in China from August 31 to September 1, marking his first visit to the country in seven years.
During a previous visit to China, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of open conversations between neighboring countries, especially in the current complex international landscape.
In the ongoing Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination regarding border matters, both sides have agreed to maintain consistent contact at diplomatic and military levels. They are also preparing for the upcoming talks between the Special Representatives on boundary issues, with Wang’s visit to India approaching later this year.
In December 2024, Doval and Wang highlighted the need to keep a broader perspective on bilateral relations while looking for a fair settlement to boundary disputes, aiming to invigorate the dialogue process.
