India is set to resume tourist visas for Chinese citizens from July 24, as confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Beijing. This move is seen as an important step to bring back normalcy in India-China relations, which have remained tense since the deadly Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
Right now, about 50,000 to 60,000 troops from both India and China are still deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. While the military tension hasn’t gone away, this visa step is a sign that both sides are trying to move forward.
A Slow Thaw After Galwan
In 2020, Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Galwan, leading to the worst border violence in decades. Since then, ties between the two neighbours have been frozen. Flights were suspended, tourism was stopped, and even simple people-to-people contacts became difficult.
But things started to change earlier this year.
India and China agreed in principle to restart direct flights, open visa services, and allow Indian pilgrims to visit Kailash Mansarovar, a sacred site in Tibet. This decision to issue tourist visas again builds on that agreement.
High-Level Talks and Diplomacy
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing for two days earlier this year. His visit was important. It showed that both sides are now talking at senior levels again.
“As agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at their meeting in Kazan, the foreign secretary and Chinese vice foreign minister reviewed India-China relations fully,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
While the move to allow tourist visas for Chinese citizens is positive, India is still being careful. The border situation hasn’t changed much. Both armies are still facing each other across the LAC.
