INDIA has announced resuming issuance of tourist visas to Chinesenationals from this week, a move that comes as part of efforts torepair bilateral ties that came under severe strain following the military clashes in GalwanValley. India had suspendedissuance of tourist visasto Chinese nationals in2020 largely due toCOVID-19 pandemic but the restrictions continued in view of the eastern Ladakh border row.

 

The Indian embassyin Beijing said Chinese nationals may apply for tourist visas fromThursday. In a notification, it also explained the required procedures to apply for the visas as well as documents required to be submitted at respective Indian visa application centres in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. China Foreign Ministry has welcomed India’s decision to openthe tourists’ visas saying it is a positive move to facilitate cross-border travel. “It is a positive move”, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesmanGuo Jiakun said in a media briefing here.