India to Resume Issuing Tourist Visas to Chinese Citizens
After a five-year hiatus, India will once again grant tourist visas to citizens of China as diplomatic relations improve.
India has announced plans to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens starting from July 24, marking the first such move in over five years.
This decision comes amid efforts by both nations to mend their strained relationship, which had deteriorated significantly following a military clash in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border.
In response to these tensions, India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments and banned numerous popular Chinese apps, while also reducing passenger routes.
China, too, suspended visas for Indian citizens and other foreigners due to the COVID-19 pandemic but lifted these restrictions in 2022 by resuming visas for students and business travelers.
Tourist visas for Indian nationals were not restored until March of this year, following an agreement between the two countries to resume direct air services.
The improvement in relations is evidenced by several high-level meetings held last year, including a significant discussion between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October.
In response to India's latest move, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated that Beijing welcomes this positive development and remains committed to maintaining communication and consultation with India, aiming to enhance personal exchanges between the two countries.
The 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border disputed by India and China since the 1950s has been a long-standing point of contention.
The two nations fought a brief but intense border war in 1962, and negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute have progressed slowly over the years.
In July, India's foreign minister communicated to his Chinese counterpart that both countries must work towards resolving their border friction, withdrawing troops, and avoiding 'restrictive trade measures' to achieve normalized relations.
This decision comes amid efforts by both nations to mend their strained relationship, which had deteriorated significantly following a military clash in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border.
In response to these tensions, India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments and banned numerous popular Chinese apps, while also reducing passenger routes.
China, too, suspended visas for Indian citizens and other foreigners due to the COVID-19 pandemic but lifted these restrictions in 2022 by resuming visas for students and business travelers.
Tourist visas for Indian nationals were not restored until March of this year, following an agreement between the two countries to resume direct air services.
The improvement in relations is evidenced by several high-level meetings held last year, including a significant discussion between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October.
In response to India's latest move, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, stated that Beijing welcomes this positive development and remains committed to maintaining communication and consultation with India, aiming to enhance personal exchanges between the two countries.
The 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border disputed by India and China since the 1950s has been a long-standing point of contention.
The two nations fought a brief but intense border war in 1962, and negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute have progressed slowly over the years.
In July, India's foreign minister communicated to his Chinese counterpart that both countries must work towards resolving their border friction, withdrawing troops, and avoiding 'restrictive trade measures' to achieve normalized relations.
