After five years of strained relations, India and China are reopening their borders to each other’s tourists, marking a thaw in diplomatic ties following a deadly border clash in 2020.
India is set to issue tourist visas to Chinese citizens for the first time in five years, signaling a significant shift in relations between the two neighboring countries. Beginning Thursday, July 24, Chinese nationals can apply for visas to visit India, as confirmed by the Indian embassy in Beijing.
This development comes after years of tension between the two most populous nations, following a violent skirmish in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley that resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers. The clash occurred along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), a de facto boundary between India and China that extends for 2,100 miles and has been a longstanding source of discord since their conflict in 1962.
Relations further deteriorated after the Galwan Valley incident, leading to India banning several Chinese apps and scrutinizing Chinese investments. In addition, direct air routes were halted, and both countries imposed travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which persisted even as international travel resumed elsewhere.
China resumed issuing tourist visas to Indian nationals in March, after leaders from both countries expressed a desire to restore direct air travel. The recent decision by India to reciprocate by allowing Chinese tourists is being viewed positively by many.
Sarvjeet Sankrit, founder of the Delhi-based travel agency Ghum India Ghum, welcomed the decision, noting that it came at a time when inbound tourism is struggling post-pandemic. “Our market is opening to more visitors,” he said, adding that before the visa ban, the agency hosted many Chinese tourists.
Sankrit noted that the return of Chinese tourists would benefit vehicle operators, guides, and hotel owners, as it promises a boost in business for the tourism sector.
Chinese national Kate Hu embraced the news with excitement, particularly as she anticipates visiting her Indian boyfriend’s family. Hu, a comedian based in Hong Kong, had previously purchased tickets to attend his sister’s wedding in India but was unable to secure a visa. “I had to abandon that plan and lost some money,” she explained, humorously adding that she no longer has to contemplate marriage as a workaround for a visa.
Both countries have made recent efforts to restore economic and cultural exchanges. In a meeting earlier this month, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted progress in stabilizing relations and emphasized people-centric engagements. Notably, India and China agreed to resume commercial flights and reopen religious pilgrimage sites in Tibet, such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, to Indian pilgrims for the first time in half a decade.
According to Harsh V. Pant, head of foreign policy research at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi, both nations are engaged in a gradual recalibration of their relationship. “It reflects India’s challenges in managing its relationship with China while seeking an economic partnership and making its positions clear,” Pant stated.
The easing of travel restrictions could facilitate increased interaction between the people of the two countries, according to Delhi-based consultant Pradeep K., who expressed his enthusiasm for visiting China. Despite historical military conflicts, many believe there is potential for improved relations based on shared economic and cultural interests.
Delhi teacher Saurabhi Singh echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the shared aspects between the two nations, including trade, cuisine, and consumer goods. “We have the resources and common interests that can bring our people together,” Singh asserted.
The resumption of tourist visas represents not only a diplomatic gesture but also an opportunity for both countries to explore mutual economic and cultural benefits, according to CNN.