Beijing, July 24 – In a major diplomatic breakthrough, India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals starting July 24, the Indian Embassy in Beijing announced on Wednesday. This marks the first time since 2020 that such visas will be available, following a five-year suspension in the wake of the deadly Galwan Valley clashes between Indian and Chinese troops.
The decision comes amid signs of a gradual thaw in bilateral relations. Tourist visas were among the categories halted after the violent confrontation in eastern Ladakh that led to heightened tensions and a prolonged military standoff.
The resumption of tourist visas follows a series of confidence-building measures agreed upon earlier this year, including restarting direct commercial flights and permitting Indian pilgrims to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra — a key religious pilgrimage that had also been suspended since 2020.
Diplomatic engagement has been intensifying in recent months, with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently concluding a two-day visit to Beijing. His meetings with Chinese counterparts are believed to have paved the way for the latest visa announcement.
While officials describe the move as a “positive signal,” experts caution that full normalisation will depend on continued dialogue and progress in resolving the remaining border disputes.
Nonetheless, the resumption of tourist visas is seen as a tangible step toward restoring people-to-people contact and reopening avenues for economic and cultural exchange between the world’s two most populous nations.
