What happened?
On July 23,it was announced that India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens for the first time in five years on July 24, the Indian Embassy in Beijing announced on Wednesday. The move comes after a suspension of all tourist visas in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese applicants will need to complete an online application, schedule an appointment, and submit their documents in person at Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The embassy also noted that passport withdrawal requests must be accompanied by a formal withdrawal letter for applications submitted in Beijing.
Why it matters to India
The resumption of tourist visas marks a step toward restoring normal travel and people-to-people exchanges between India and China, which were disrupted by the pandemic and worsened by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes. While China had resumed issuing visas to Indian students and businesspeople, general tourism remained suspended. Following recent military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control and high-level talks — including a meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping — both countries have agreed to rebuild ties and enhance exchanges. Plans are also underway to resume direct flights and the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, which was halted during the pandemic.