India reopens doors to Chinese tourists after five-year visa freeze

In a significant step towards easing frosty bilateral ties, India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24 — marking the end of a five-year suspension triggered by the deadly 2020 border clash in the Galwan Valley.

The Indian embassy in Beijing confirmed the development on July 23, stating that Chinese citizens can once again apply for tourist visas through designated Indian Visa Application Centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Applicants will be required to complete an online form, schedule an appointment, and submit documents in person, according to a notice shared via the embassy’s Sina Weibo account.

The visa freeze was imposed in the wake of heightened hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following the Galwan Valley confrontation, which claimed lives on both sides and pushed relations to their lowest point in decades.

In retaliation, India had not only suspended tourist visas but also clamped down on Chinese investments, banned over 200 Chinese apps, and curtailed air connectivity.

The latest announcement is being seen as a cautious but symbolic shift in New Delhi’s approach, possibly reflecting back-channel efforts to restore a semblance of normalcy amid lingering border disputes.

Chinese state-run Global Times acknowledged the move, calling it the first resumption of Indian tourist visa services for Chinese citizens since 2020. While no official statement has been issued by New Delhi beyond the visa update, diplomatic watchers say the decision could pave the way for gradual re-engagement, albeit under watchful eyes.