India will begin issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens starting July 24, 2025, marking a significant step toward the normalization of bilateral ties between Asia’s two largest economies. The announcement was confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Beijing and reported by Reuters.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the development, describing it as a "positive move" that will enhance cross-border mobility. “We take note of India’s resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. This is a positive step forward. Easing cross-border travel benefits both countries. China will maintain dialogue and consultation with India to further facilitate bilateral travel,” the MFA stated in a post on X.
This resumption follows earlier indications that both countries had agreed in principle to restart direct flights, visa processing, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for Indian pilgrims—a process that signals a gradual thaw after relations were deeply strained by the 2020 border clashes in eastern Ladakh.
Shortly after the announcement, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing for high-level discussions. According to a release by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Foreign Secretary Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, as per the agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their October meeting in Kazan.
Key outcomes of these diplomatic engagements include:
- Resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.
- Reactivation of the India-China Expert Level Mechanism, tasked with hydrological data sharing and cooperation on transboundary river issues.
Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers’ courtesy call. In his separate discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Dr. Jaishankar stressed the importance of addressing long-standing border concerns, restoring people-to-people exchanges, and removing trade restrictions.
“Resolving border issues, normalising exchanges, and avoiding restrictive trade measures are essential. Confident that, on the foundation of mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity, India-China relations can move in a positive direction,” Dr. Jaishankar wrote on X following the meetings.
Context: A Delicate Reset
India-China relations had sharply deteriorated after the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020. Although both sides have since disengaged troops at key friction points, a full de-escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is yet to be achieved, with approximately 50,000 to 60,000 troops still deployed by each side in eastern Ladakh.
The renewed diplomatic outreach culminated in a consensus reached between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi in Kazan last year. The two leaders agreed on a roadmap aimed at rebuilding mutual trust and steering the relationship toward constructive engagement.
With the reinstatement of tourist visas and fresh diplomatic momentum, both nations appear poised to cautiously rebuild their complex but crucial bilateral relationship.
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.