India Resumes Tourist Visas for Chinese Nationals Amid Diplomatic Thaw

In a significant diplomatic development, India has announced the resumption of issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, starting from this week. This decision is seen as a strategic initiative to mend ties that were severely impacted by the 2020 military clashes in the Galwan Valley.

The issuance of tourist visas had been halted since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by the tensions at the eastern Ladakh border. However, with the Indian embassy in Beijing now signalling a reopening of visa applications, bilateral relations appear to be on a path to normalization.

China's Foreign Ministry has welcomed the move, describing it as a positive stride towards facilitating cross-border travel. The announcement follows extensive diplomatic engagements between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart, underlining both nations' commitment to easing tensions and encouraging people-to-people exchanges.

(With inputs from agencies.)