India resumes visas for Chinese citizens amid boost in diplomatic ties
PTC News Desk: India has now reopened tourist visas for Chinese citizens applying through Indian embassies and consulates worldwide, as both countries continue trying to normalise relations after the long military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India had already restarted giving tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July, four months earlier.
Visa services were stopped after the LAC face-off began in April–May 2020. The clash in Galwan Valley, which killed 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese troops, caused relations to drop to their worst level in 60 years.
Tourist visas for Chinese nationals were reopened at Indian missions across the world earlier this week, according to people familiar with the development. However, there has been no official public announcement.
India and China have recently agreed on several “people-focused steps” to help stabilise and rebuild their relationship. These include restarting direct flights—which had been suspended since early 2020—and preparing to resume the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet next summer. They have also made visa processes easier for different categories of travellers and marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
In July, India had first resumed tourist visas for Chinese citizens through its embassy in Beijing and consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.
Both countries have also held several events to celebrate 75 years of diplomatic ties.
- With inputs from agencies
