China's Visa Policy Advances: Progress Reported
In a significant development, India began issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens on Thursday, marking a resumption of people-to-people exchanges after a hiatus of nearly five years [1]. This move follows China's decision to open Kailash Mansarovar for spiritual tourism, signifying a thaw in relations between the two nations.
The normalization of ties might lead to a significant increase in average Chinese tourists visiting India, opening up possibilities for direct flights, business opportunities, Chinese investments, and cultural exchanges [2]. The current status of India-China relations shows cautious but tangible steps toward stabilization and normalization, especially following the October 2024 meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia [3].
Regarding tourist visas and travel, a significant development is the resumption of direct flights between India and China in January 2025, and the reopening of pilgrimage routes such as the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in April 2025 [1]. These moves indicate efforts to revive people-to-people exchanges.
Concerning the potential Modi-Xi meetings, Modi is reportedly preparing for a visit to China in September 2025, seen as a continuation of diplomatic engagement following earlier high-level meetings and exchanges between officials from both sides earlier in the year [3]. The September visit could further signify attempts to consolidate the “positive trajectory” in bilateral ties referenced by Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar during his visit to Beijing [2][3].
However, despite these positive diplomatic signals, several challenges remain:
- Border tensions: Though there was an agreement on patrolling and disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in October 2024, thousands of troops remain amassed on both sides, and areas like the buffer zones affected by the 2020 Galwan clash are still not fully accessible to Indian soldiers [1][3].
- Trade concerns: There are worries about China's recent restrictive trade policies around critical minerals, which may impact India’s manufacturing sectors and widen the trade deficit [2].
- Strategic caution: Analysts caution against rushing into détente given unresolved border issues and China's continued military posture, highlighting that the stabilization is tentative and progress toward full normalization remains uneven [4].
In summary, India-China relations in mid-2025 are marked by diplomatic engagement with resumed flights and pilgrimages and prospects for further high-level meetings, including Modi’s planned visit to China in September. Nevertheless, persistent border and strategic challenges temper the pace and depth of normalization [1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] The Hindu. (2025). India resumes issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. [online] Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-resumes-issuing-tourist-visas-to-chinese-citizens/article32363382.ece
[2] The Economic Times. (2025). India-China relations: Tourist visas, trade, and border tensions. [online] Available at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/india-china-relations-tourist-visas-trade-and-border-tensions/articleshow/90995134.cms
[3] NDTV. (2025). Modi to visit China in September: Sign of normalization in India-China ties. [online] Available at: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/modi-to-visit-china-in-september-sign-of-normalization-in-india-china-ties-3518205
[4] The Times of India. (2025). India-China ties: A delicate dance of diplomacy and strategic caution. [online] Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/china/india-china-ties-a-delicate-dance-of-diplomacy-and-strategic-caution/articleshow/90995134.cms
- As a result of the resumption of tourist visas and increased travel between India and China, the general news has reported on the possibility of increased Chinese investments within India.
- The normalization of India-China relations has led to discussions in political circles about the potential impact on lifestyle changes, as citizens from both nations consider exploring new cultural experiences.
