Restart of Visa Issuance
Starting July 24, India will begin issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, marking the end of a five-year pause. The Indian Embassy in Beijing announced this development on Wednesday, allowing Chinese travelers to once again visit India for tourism.
Background of Suspension
India had suspended all tourist visas to China in 2020 as a precautionary measure against the spread of Covid-19. Diplomatic tensions following the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes further strained bilateral travel, limiting visa issuance mostly to students and business travelers.
Visa Application Process
Chinese applicants can apply for tourist visas online and must schedule appointments to submit their passports and required documents in person at Indian Visa Application Centers located in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The embassy emphasized that passport withdrawal requests must include an official passport withdrawal letter.
Diplomatic Relations and Travel Impact
Travel between the two nations suffered significantly due to the pandemic and geopolitical disputes, including the Galwan conflict, which marked the lowest point in India-China relations since 1962. Despite this, both countries have engaged in talks to ease tensions, leading to troop withdrawals along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and agreements on disengagement at key friction points like Depsang and Demchok.
Steps Toward Normalization
In late 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met in Kazan, agreeing to improve ties and promote people-to-people exchanges. Plans include resuming direct flights and restarting the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which was suspended due to the pandemic.
Outlook
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently stated that India-China relations are moving in a positive direction, with ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Key Highlights:
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India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals after 5 years
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Visa applications accepted at centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
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Diplomatic efforts ease travel restrictions post-Galwan clashes
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Plans underway to restart direct flights and Kailash Manasarovar Yatra
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India-China ties show signs of improvement and increased people-to-people contact
