India-China: In a remarkable sign of warming ties and renewed connectivity, the Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, announced that more than 85,000 visas have been issued to Indian citizens this year as of April 9, 2025. This surge follows major visa relaxations aimed at reviving cross-border travel and people-to-people exchanges between the two Asian giants.
“As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens traveling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China,” Ambassador Feihong shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Major Changes That Are Opening Doors
Several new measures have made traveling to China easier, faster, and more affordable for Indian citizens:
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No Online Appointment Requirement: Applicants can now walk into visa centers without the need for advance booking, streamlining the application process and reducing waiting times.
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Biometric Exemption for Short-Term Stays: Indians planning brief visits no longer need to submit fingerprints or other biometric data, easing formalities especially for tourists and short-term business travelers.
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Reduced Visa Fees: Applying for a Chinese visa is now lighter on the pocket, encouraging more Indians to plan trips without financial hesitation.
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Faster Processing Times: With a significantly trimmed-down approval timeline, visas are being issued quicker than ever before, offering added convenience for both leisure and corporate travelers.
China is also actively promoting its spring festivals, lush landscapes, and cultural experiences to Indian tourists, emphasizing that it is once again ready to welcome the world with open arms.
Healing a Bruised Travel Corridor
Travel between India and China had been badly bruised over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and diplomatic tensions. Flights were disrupted, visa issuance was stalled, and strict quarantine measures kept even essential travelers at bay.
Even after borders began reopening, Indian citizens faced cumbersome documentation requirements and longer wait times compared to other countries. The new relaxations mark a clear shift in China’s approach towards India — signaling a desire to rebuild trust and restore the vibrant exchange of people, ideas, and culture that once defined their relationship.
Trade, Tariffs, and Ties: A Wider Context
The development comes at a time when global geopolitics is in flux. Amid an escalating U.S.-China trade war, Beijing has reiterated the importance of strengthening economic bonds with India.
In a statement earlier this week, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson emphasized that India and China must “stand together” in facing external challenges, notably tariffs imposed by the United States.
“China-India economic and trade relationship is based on complementarity and mutual benefit,” the spokesperson asserted, suggesting that a stronger partnership could help both nations weather global economic uncertainties.
While political undercurrents between New Delhi and Beijing remain complex, practical moves like easing visa restrictions could be the first stepping stones toward building a new chapter of cooperation — where business, tourism, and cultural diplomacy thrive, even amid competition and caution.
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