Overview
- Indian embassies and consulates around the world began accepting tourist visa applications from Chinese citizens earlier this week, according to people familiar with the process.
- This global reopening expands a July pilot that was limited to the embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.
- No formal government announcement has been issued, and officials describe the shift as a “people-centric” measure to steady ties.
- Related steps include the resumption of direct flights in October, plans to restart the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra next summer, and events marking 75 years of diplomatic relations.
- Tourist visas were suspended after the 2020 LAC and Galwan clashes, with momentum for normalization growing after an October 2024 frontline disengagement and leader-level talks in Kazan, alongside reported Chinese moves on trade issues such as rare earth export curbs.