India Restarts Tourist Visas for Chinese Travelers

(MENAFN) India is set to recommence the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese nationals starting July 24, according to an announcement made by New Delhi’s diplomatic post in Beijing.

This update was reported by Chinese state media on Wednesday.

The Indian Embassy shared the news through a public statement posted on Weibo, a popular Chinese social media site.

As per the notice, Chinese citizens will be eligible to apply for tourist visas beginning this Friday.

This development signifies the first reopening of tourist visa applications for Chinese travelers since 2020.

That year, bilateral relations between India and China deteriorated following a deadly border conflict in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The incident led to the loss of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, further straining the ties between the neighboring nations.

China has acknowledged the move positively. “We have noted this positive move. Making cross-border travel easier serves the common interest of all parties,” stated China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, during a media briefing in Beijing.

Guo further expressed China’s readiness to maintain “communication” and “coordination” with India to enhance people-to-people contact and mutual exchange between the two countries.

Despite this diplomatic progress and the reinstatement of visa services, India has not yet resumed direct air travel to China.

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