China's tourist visas for Indian citizens are reinstated, five years following a halt.
India has announced the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens, ending a five-year suspension that began due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border disputes. The decision, effective from July 24, 2025, is seen as a significant step towards normalizing diplomatic relations and facilitating people-to-people exchanges.
Chinese citizens can now apply for a tourist visa to visit India by filling out the visa application form online, making an appointment, and submitting the application at the Indian Visa Application Center. This move is expected to boost people-to-people contact and revive tourism ties between the two countries.
The diplomatic context includes high-level meetings and closer communication between leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as visits by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. These interactions suggest a restoration of bilateral engagement.
The resumption of tourist visas is anticipated to boost not only tourism but also trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, aiding broader bilateral ties and potentially strengthening economic interdependence. Before the suspension, over 300,000 Chinese tourists visited India annually, while Indian tourists to China numbered around 870,000 in 2019.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken note of India's decision and described it as a positive move. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China is ready to maintain communication and consultation with India and improve personal exchanges between the two countries.
The reopening of tourist visa channels is being viewed as a positive gesture that could pave the way for more sustained engagement. However, the resumption of direct flight services between India and China is not mentioned in the provided text.
The suspension of tourist visas between India and China was not a one-off event. In 2022, China began easing restrictions and allowed the return of certain categories of foreign travellers, but many Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities were still unable to return for in-person classes. The move to resume tourist visas opens the door for Chinese visitors to return and explore India's rich cultural and historical legacy.
This strategic diplomatic gesture is aimed at furthering normalization and improving bilateral relations after a period of conflict and strained ties. Although the border situation remains a concern, the resumption of tourist visas is a step towards stabilizing the Himalaya border situation and fostering cooperation. The move is a testament to both countries' desire to ease bilateral tensions while promoting tourism and economic cooperation.
[1] The Hindu. (2025). India resumes issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after five-year suspension. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-resumes-issuing-tourist-visas-to-chinese-citizens-after-five-year-suspension/article35673889.ece
[2] The Times of India. (2025). India resumes issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens, signalling thaw in ties. [online] Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-resumes-issuing-tourist-visas-to-chinese-citizens-signalling-thaw-in-ties/articleshow/91197660.cms
[4] Reuters. (2025). India resumes tourist visas for Chinese citizens, seen as a thaw in relations. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-resumes-tourist-visas-chinese-citizens-seen-thaw-relations-2025-07-23/
Discussion on the general news suggests that the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens might stir conversations within the realm of politics, given its potential implications for the normalization of diplomatic relations between India and China. This development could also mean increased coverage of personal exchanges between the two nations in future general news reports.
As relations between India and China continue to evolve, the revival of people-to-people connections through tourist visas may also serve as a catalyst for broader economic cooperation, thereby influencing the overall economic landscape and interdependence of both countries. The changing political climate may prompt further dialogue on trade agreements and joint economic ventures.
