The BRICS TimesIndia is now accepting tourist visa applications from Chinese citizens worldwide as diplomatic relations improve.
Easing Border Tensions
India has started accepting tourist visa applications from Chinese citizens. This applies to those submitting applications at Indian missions worldwide. The two nations are currently normalizing their relations. This follows a long military standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Restoring Travel Ties
This decision comes four months after a partial reopening. India first resumed tourist visas for Chinese nationals in July. Authorities suspended these visas when the LAC standoff began in 2020. That military confrontation included a brutal clash in the Galwan Valley. It killed 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops. Bilateral ties hit their lowest point in six decades.
Global Visa Access
Sources say tourist visas opened at Indian embassies globally this week. However, the government has made no official announcement yet. India and China recently agreed on several “people-centric steps” to rebuild ties. Sources confirmed this on condition of anonymity. They noted that direct flights resumed in October. These flights had been suspended since early 2020.
Diplomatic Progress
Other steps include resuming the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra next summer. This pilgrimage visits sacred sites in the Tibet region. Officials are also facilitating visas for various traveler categories. Both nations will commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Previously, India only accepted visa applications in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.
Leadership Guidance
Embassies from both sides recently held anniversary events. These steps aim to facilitate exchanges “as guided by the leaders of the two countries”. India and China reached an understanding on border disengagement in October 2024. Following this, Prime Minister Modi met President Xi Jinping in Kazan.
Future Cooperation
They agreed to revive mechanisms to fix ties and solve border disputes. Since then, foreign ministers and security advisers have met regularly. This includes NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. These meetings led to agreements on trade and economic cooperation. China is also addressing trade concerns regarding rare earth mineral exports.
