The Indian Embassy in China, via its official account on Sina Weibo—a leading Chinese microblogging platform—announces that India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals starting July 24, 2025. This decision ends a five-year suspension that has been in place since 2020, following the Galwan Valley clash, which severely strained bilateral relations.
Key Highlights:
Official Announcement: In its post on Weibo account, the Indian Embassy detailed the updated visa application process. Chinese citizens must complete and print the online application form, schedule an appointment on the Embassy website, and submit the application along with the necessary documents in person at the Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.
Background: Tourist visas were first suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the restrictions on Chinese visitors were prolonged amid heightened diplomatic tensions.
Intent to Ease Tensions: The decision follows Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Beijing in January 2025, during which both nations agreed to resume direct commercial flights and reopen the pilgrimage route to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar among other things.
