In a major step to mend ties and recover tourism, India has formally declared that it will start issuing tourist visas to its Chinese citizens from July 24, 2025 when India revoked the tourist visa suspension on ‎Chinese tourists. The development comes after a gap of five years amid the stressed relationship following the Galwan Valley clash in June, 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic. Reopening the visa channel is considered a sign of the two nations’ desire to mend fences and improve bilateral cooperation. Under the package, China will be permitted once again to send tourists to India, which will help bring economic dividends and cultural exchanges.

Both India and China have faced much tribulation over the years, especially between the two countries at their disputed border. Beyond the border tensions that were at their worst during the Galwan Valley clash, there was the global pandemic, which led to visa restrictions and a dearth of travel options. But the Indian government has made a move to ease the travel restrictions by resuming tourist visas for Chinese nationals.

Historical Context: A Five-Year Gap and Its Aftermath

The Galwan Valley clash in June 2020 was a key moment in the deterioration of relations between India and China. The violent border confrontation, which resulted in casualties on both sides, escalated tensions, prompting India to impose a series of measures in response. These included halting the issuance of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, imposing restrictions on Chinese investments, and banning popular Chinese mobile applications.

In parallel, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation. China suspended visas for Indian nationals, and the pandemic-induced lockdowns and travel restrictions affected both countries’ ability to engage with each other on multiple fronts. The tourist visa suspension continued long after the worst of the pandemic had passed, further isolating the two countries.

The resumption of tourist visa services represents a diplomatic thaw after five years of strained relations. As both nations work to mend their ties, tourism serves as an important avenue for rebuilding trust, fostering cooperation, and boosting mutual understanding. The Indian government’s decision to ease travel restrictions for Chinese tourists is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate bilateral relations across multiple sectors.

Timeline of Key Developments Leading to Visa Resumption

2020-2022: Diplomatic Tensions and Pandemic Disruptions
The border conflict in Galwan Valley marked the beginning of a series of diplomatic challenges between India and China. In response to the clash, India imposed travel restrictions, including suspending tourist visas for Chinese nationals. These measures were compounded by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which severely disrupted international travel. While China began easing restrictions on business and student visas in 2022, the suspension of tourist visas for Indian and Chinese citizens remained in place until 2025.

2023-2024: Signs of Diplomatic De-escalation
Over the course of 2023 and 2024, diplomatic exchanges began to show signs of improvement. In October 2024, during the BRICS Summit in Russia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in discussions aimed at resolving key disputes and strengthening bilateral relations. Both leaders expressed a commitment to de-escalating tensions and improving cooperation in areas such as trade, border security, and cultural exchanges.

By January 2025, India and China had resumed direct flights, marking a significant step forward in their diplomatic engagements. This move laid the groundwork for further exchanges, with the resumption of tourism being the next logical step.

July 2025: Official Announcement of Visa Resumption
On July 23, 2025, the Indian Embassy in Beijing officially confirmed that tourist visas for Chinese nationals would resume starting July 24, 2025. This marked the end of a five-year break in tourist exchanges between the two countries. The announcement was widely welcomed by both governments, signaling that tourism, as a form of people-to-people diplomacy, could play a key role in rebuilding the relationship.

Economic Implications: Tourism’s Role in Revitalizing the Indian Economy

The resumption of tourist visas is expected to provide a much-needed boost to India’s tourism industry, which has been significantly impacted by the suspension. Prior to the suspension, Chinese tourists were a major source of international visitors to India. In 2019, approximately 1.4 million Chinese nationals visited India, contributing significantly to the tourism revenue.

Key Economic Benefits:

• Revival of Inbound Tourism: Chinese nationals are expected to return to India, visiting iconic destinations such as the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, and the palaces of Jaipur. These tourist hotspots, which depend on international visitors, will benefit from the reopening of the visa channel.
• Growth for the Hospitality Industry: India’s hospitality sector, including hotels, resorts, and transportation services, will see a surge in demand, benefiting from the increase in Chinese tourists. In particular, hotels that cater to international travelers in cities like New Delhi and Agra are poised to see a significant uptick in bookings.
• Job Creation and Economic Growth: The return of Chinese tourists will also create new jobs in the tourism sector, from tour guides and hotel staff to transportation providers and local craftspeople. With Chinese tourists known for their spending power, their return is expected to drive substantial economic growth in tourism-dependent regions.
• Strengthening Cultural Diplomacy: Tourism provides a platform for cultural diplomacy, fostering greater mutual understanding between India and China. As Chinese nationals visit India to explore its rich heritage and cultural landmarks, they are also exposed to India’s values, customs, and traditions.

Diplomatic Implications: Rebuilding Ties Through Tourism

The resumption of tourist visas between India and China is not just about boosting the tourism sector; it is also a vital element of broader diplomatic relations. Tourism has long been recognized as a powerful tool in fostering people-to-people exchanges, promoting understanding, and reducing tensions.

Key Diplomatic Benefits:

• Building Trust and Cooperation: Tourism allows for people-to-people interactions, which help build trust and cooperation between nations. By resuming visa issuance, both India and China are demonstrating their commitment to restoring positive relations.
• Economic Collaboration: Tourism fosters stronger economic collaboration, as both countries are likely to explore new opportunities for trade, investment, and infrastructure development. China has also shown interest in contributing to India’s tourism infrastructure development, which could further enhance bilateral ties.
• Soft Power Influence: Tourism serves as a vehicle for soft power. As China sends tourists to India, it strengthens its cultural and diplomatic influence in the region, while India also enhances its global stature by engaging tourists from one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies.

Challenges and Future Prospects for India-China Tourism

While the reopening of tourist visa channels is a positive step, several challenges remain, which could affect the flow of tourism between the two countries:

• Border Tensions: The India-China border dispute remains unresolved, and tensions could flare up again. Any future border skirmishes could lead to a suspension of visa services or the re-imposition of travel restrictions.
• Domestic Sentiment: Domestic public opinion in both countries could influence the future of tourism policies. Nationalist sentiments and political pressure could undermine efforts to foster diplomatic ties through tourism.
• Diplomatic Friction: Despite efforts to improve relations, India and China are still divided on key issues, such as trade imbalances and territorial claims. These differences could spill over into tourism policy if diplomatic relations take a downturn.

Conclusion: A New Beginning for India-China Relations

The resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals is a hopeful sign that India-China relations are entering a new chapter. While challenges remain, the move demonstrates both countries’ willingness to rebuild their relationship through diplomatic engagement and economic collaboration. The reopening of tourism channels provides a vital platform for cultural exchange, economic growth, and mutual understanding.

As both nations look to the future, tourism will continue to serve as a bridge between their peoples, helping to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster cooperation in various sectors. The Indian tourism industry stands poised for a revival, benefiting from the return of Chinese tourists, and providing a key avenue for positive India-China relations in the coming years.