India Reinstates Tourist Visas For China After Five-Year Hiatus

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI- India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens starting July 24, as announced by its embassy in Beijing on July 23. This marks the first time in five years.

The suspension of tourist visas began in 2020 and travel was significantly disrupted in recent years amid the pandemic, followed by diplomatic tensions over the 2020 Galwan clashes. While Beijing had gradually restored visas for Indian students and business travelers, general travel remained restricted.

Bilateral relations between India and China experienced a significant downturn following the Galwan Valley clashes, reaching their lowest point since the 1962 conflict.

Subsequent diplomatic and military dialogues played a crucial role in de-escalating tensions. These discussions led to the mutual disengagement of troops from various friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. By October of the preceding year, a disengagement pact was formalized for Depsang and Demchok, representing the final two areas of contention in eastern Ladakh. Shortly thereafter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping convened in Kazan, where they made several decisions aimed at improving bilateral ties.

Further building upon these diplomatic initiatives, earlier this year, both nations explored avenues for mending their relationship. They mutually agreed to initiate efforts to foster people-to-people exchanges, which include provisions for the resumption of direct flights and the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.