India Resumes Tourist Visas For Chinese Nationals, Signalling Thaw In Ties

India’s decision to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals is a much-needed and long-overdue step in the right direction. China has already welcomed the move, and rightly so, as it signals a tentative but important thaw in bilateral relations that have remained frosty since the COVID-19 pandemic and the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020. The breakthrough came after External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) foreign ministers’ meeting. It’s a reminder that diplomacy, even when slow and incremental, can produce tangible results—especially when both sides are willing to look beyond past grievances.

India had suspended tourist visas for Chinese nationals after the coronavirus outbreak, widely believed to have originated in China. But it wasn’t just the pandemic that soured ties. The situation deteriorated dramatically with the violent face-off in eastern Ladakh in June 2020, which led to casualties on both sides and hardened public opinion in India against China. One of the major sticking points continues to be China’s refusal to acknowledge Arunachal Pradesh as part of India. Beijing’s repeated assertions that residents of Arunachal don’t require visas—because, in their view, they’re already Chinese citizens—add insult to injury. Throw in occasional cartographic mischief and a few provocative statements, and you have a recipe for constant tension.

Yet, India is wise to not allow these longstanding disputes to freeze all avenues of engagement. After all, history cannot be rewritten—China did encroach on Indian territory in 1962 and continues to occupy the Aksai Chin region, not to mention the part of Kashmir that Pakistan handed over to China. But living in the past will only guarantee a colder, more hostile future. China’s plans to build a massive dam on the Brahmaputra—reportedly the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by humanity—may raise eyebrows in India and Bangladesh. But its assurances that downstream nations will not be affected should be taken as an opportunity for further dialogue and environmental cooperation.

Meanwhile, both India and China are emerging as global tourism powerhouses. Chinese tourists are seen across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, while Indian tourists are fast catching up. With iconic destinations like the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal, the two countries have much to offer each other. Cross-border tourism and people-to-people contact will help humanise perceptions, soften political rhetoric, and strengthen cultural and economic ties. Chinese language courses remain popular in Indian universities, reflecting strong trade and commercial interests. Border disputes remain unresolved, yes, but they should not prevent a much-needed warming of relations. After all, even the iciest mountains can melt, given enough sunshine.