Revival of Tourist Visas Between India and China After a Five-Year Hiatus
In a momentous diplomatic thaw, India is set to issue tourist visas for Chinese citizens for the first time in five years. This significant move, starting Thursday, July 24, marks a considerable reset in relations between the world’s two most populous nations. The decision comes on the heels of China lifting tourist visa restrictions for Indian nationals in March, a move that followed deadly border clashes, plunging bilateral ties into a deep freeze.
“Inbound tourism is weathering a tough period post-Covid, so the opening of another market is a welcome development,” says Sarvjeet Sankrit, founder of Delhi-based travel agency Ghum India Ghum. The resumption of visa services is anticipated to benefit vehicle owners, guides, and hotel owners on both sides. Chinese tourists previously represented a significant market for Indian destinations before the ban.
This diplomatic breakthrough follows recent agreements to resume direct commercial flights and Beijing’s decision to reopen Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet to Indian pilgrims. The tourism industry views this as a crucial step in normalizing economic partnerships between these neighboring giants.
Source: CNN