• Source:JND
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India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24 this year, news agency Reuters reported citing Indian embassy in China on Wednesday, the first time in five years. This move marks a significant development, as India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension that began in 2020.

Chinese citizens can now apply for Indian tourist visas by following these steps:

1. Submit an online application
2. Schedule an appointment
3. Personally submit their passport and required documents to Indian Visa Application Centers in:
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Guangzhou (Guangdong Province, South China)

India-China visa suspension

India suspended visa services for Chinese citizens in early 2020, initially halting e-visas and later extending the suspension to other visa types, as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 pandemic. China had implemented similar restrictions on foreign nationals. While India has now resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens, the status of other visa types, such as e-visas, may vary, with potentially different resumption timelines.

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India-China tensions

Tensions between the two countries escalated following a 2020 military clash along their disputed Himalayan border. In response, India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, banned hundreds of popular Chinese apps and cut passenger routes. China suspended visas to Indian citizens and other foreigners around the same time due to the COVID-19 pandemic but lifted those restrictions in 2022, when it resumed issuing visas for students and business travellers. Tourist visas for Indian nationals remained restricted until March this year, when both countries agreed to resume direct air service.

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Relations have gradually improved, with several high-level meetings taking place last year, including talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia in October. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that Beijing had noted the positive move. "China is ready to maintain communication and consultation with India and constantly improve the level of personal exchanges between the two countries," he said. India and China share a 3,800 km (2,400-mile) border that has been disputed since the 1950s. 

(With inputs from agencies)