India will start issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens again from July 24, 2025. This is the first time since 2020 that Chinese tourists will be allowed to visit India for leisure purposes. The announcement was made by the Indian Embassy in Beijing on Wednesday.
India suspended tourist visas for Chinese nationals after a deadly military clash between the two countries in 2020 along their disputed Himalayan border. Following the incident, India also banned many Chinese apps, imposed curbs on Chinese investments, and stopped direct air routes.
On the other hand, China had halted issuing visas to Indian citizens and other foreign travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2022, China resumed visas for students and business travelers. Tourist travel between the two countries remained blocked until March 2025, when India and China restarted direct flights.
Now, with improving diplomatic ties, India is reopening tourist visas for Chinese nationals. The move signals a slow recovery in relations between the two Asian giants. High-level meetings, including a discussion between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Russia last October, have helped ease tensions.
China welcomed India’s decision. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China supports improved people-to-people exchanges. He emphasized Beijing’s readiness to maintain open communication with New Delhi.
Despite ongoing talks, the two countries still face unresolved issues along their 3,800-kilometre border. Efforts to settle the long-standing territorial dispute continue, although progress has been slow.
India’s foreign minister recently urged China to reduce troop presence and avoid trade barriers to further stabilize relations.
The resumption of tourist visas marks a significant step toward rebuilding trust and promoting peaceful engagement between the two neighboring nations.
For more on how other countries are adjusting visa policies to attract global investors, read about how New Zealand updates visa rules to boost foreign investment.
