In a significant diplomatic development, India is preparing to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, more than five years after the suspension triggered by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. The move signals a cautious but clear step toward normalising ties between the two neighbouring countries.
According to officials, the Union Home Ministry has introduced revised guidelines for granting regular visas to citizens of mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.
The decision comes after a gradual easing of restrictions over the past year. In 2025, both countries agreed to restart direct passenger flights, and the long-suspended Kailash Mansarovar Yatra was also revived, early indicators of improving bilateral engagement.
While tourist visas are set to resume, they will follow standard procedures applicable to all foreign nationals. Applicants will need valid passports and must complete both online and offline documentation processes. Notably, certain restrictions remain in place, such as a ban on carrying satellite phones under tourist visas, reflecting ongoing security sensitivities.
The resumption is part of a broader effort by both countries to restore people-to-people exchanges, which had come to a near halt following the deadly border clash in 2020. That incident had sharply strained diplomatic ties, leading India to impose sweeping restrictions, including visa curbs and tighter scrutiny of Chinese investments.
In recent months, however, there has been a noticeable thaw. Business visas have been streamlined, high-level diplomatic visits have resumed, and travel links are being gradually restored. The return of tourist visas is being seen as another step in this phased normalisation process.
While challenges in the relationship remain, the latest move underscores a mutual willingness to rebuild engagement, starting with travel, tourism, and cultural exchange.
