In a significant diplomatic development, the Indian government will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens starting July 24, marking a major step toward restoring bilateral ties strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
According to Reuters, the announcement was made by the Indian Embassy in Beijing and later shared by Chinese state-run outlet Global Times on Weibo.
“From July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India,” the embassy stated. Applicants must fill out the visa form online, schedule an appointment, and then submit the required documents—including passport and application form—at the Indian Visa Application Center.
India had suspended all tourist visas during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that visas for Chinese nationals remained invalid, a decision widely seen as a reciprocal measure after China restricted re-entry for around 22,000 Indian students.
This visa resumption comes on the heels of recent positive engagements between the two countries. Earlier this year, India and China withdrew troops from Depsang and Demchok, the final military standoff points in eastern Ladakh.
The nations also resumed direct flights between Beijing and New Delhi in January 2025, following Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China. Additionally, pilgrimages to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar are set to resume this year.
The renewed momentum in ties was reinforced by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting.
This series of moves signals a cautious but deliberate attempt by both countries to stabilize relations and rebuild mutual trust after years of diplomatic chill.
