After a five-year hiatus, India has announced the resumption of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, effective July 24, 2025. This decision marks a significant step in normalizing relations between the two countries following a period of heightened tensions. The move comes ahead of a possible visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

The suspension of tourist visas in 2020 coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and a deadly clash between Indian and Chinese troops along their disputed Himalayan border. These events led to a deterioration in bilateral ties, with India imposing restrictions on Chinese investments and banning several Chinese apps.

In recent months, both countries have been working towards easing tensions and improving relations. This includes plans to restart direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which were suspended due to the pandemic and border tensions. Senior officials from both sides have also agreed to hold an early meeting to discuss the resumption of hydrological data sharing and other cooperation related to trans-border rivers.

China has welcomed India's decision to resume tourist visas, with a foreign ministry spokesperson describing it as a "positive move" that serves the common interests of both countries. "China stands ready to maintain communication and consultation with India to keep facilitating people-to-people exchanges between the two countries," the spokesperson added.

The Indian embassy in Beijing announced the resumption of tourist visas on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. The embassy stated that Chinese citizens can now apply for tourist visas to visit India by completing an online form and booking an in-person appointment to submit the required documents at visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.

This move is seen as the second significant step towards normalization after the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Increased people-to-people exchanges are expected to further contribute to the normalization of relations.

While India has resumed visa services, direct flights to China have not yet been reinstated. However, the resumption of tourist visas is expected to pave the way for further easing of travel restrictions and greater cooperation between the two countries.