India Set to Resume Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals After Hiatus, Beijing Responds
In a significant development towards improving bilateral relations, India is set to resume the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese nationals after a prolonged suspension. The move comes nearly four years after the halt of visa services following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions between the two nations.
Describing the decision as a “positive move,” China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed India’s step and expressed hope that it would further facilitate people-to-people exchanges and promote mutual understanding. The announcement was seen as a potential thaw in the strained diplomatic ties between the two Asian giants.
India had suspended tourist visa services for Chinese citizens in early 2020 amid pandemic-related restrictions. Tensions escalated further due to the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, leading to a freeze in most forms of direct interaction, including tourism.
The decision to resume visa services signals a cautious but clear intent to re-engage, especially in the sectors of tourism and cultural exchange. Travel operators and tourism bodies have also responded positively, viewing this as a step toward restoring pre-pandemic connectivity and economic collaboration.
Officials in New Delhi have emphasized that the move aligns with India’s broader policy of phased reopening and normalization of international travel. With other countries having already resumed outbound and inbound tourism with China, India’s decision is expected to encourage reciprocal measures from Beijing.
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While strategic and political differences remain, this latest development could pave the way for increased dialogue and softer diplomacy between the two neighbors.
Analysts suggest that reviving people-to-people ties through tourism can help rebuild trust and foster a more stable regional environment. As both countries gradually shift focus toward post-pandemic recovery, resuming tourist visas might mark the beginning of a more open and pragmatic phase in India-China relations.
