India to resume issuing tourist visa for Chinese nationals 5 years after Galwan clash

In a major development, India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals starting July 24 – the first time in five years since the 2020 Galwan clashes, the Indian Embassy in Beijing announced on Wednesday.

This move marks a significant step toward normalising ties, as tourist visas had been suspended following the deadly border clashes and subsequent standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Earlier this year, both countries had agreed in principle to restart direct flights, resume visa issuance, and allow Indian pilgrims to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, signaling a cautious thaw in India–China relations.

The announcement came after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri undertook a two-day visit to Beijing, reflecting renewed diplomatic engagement between the two Asian powers.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit followed the understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan last October. Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations and agreed on several people-centric initiatives to stabilise and improve ties.

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The MEA also noted that both sides agreed to hold an early meeting of the India–China Expert Level Mechanism to restart cooperation on hydrological data sharing and other matters related to trans-border rivers.

Jaishankar-Xi meet during SCO summit

In a continuation of high-level engagement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this month as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ delegation.

During his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar emphasised the need for a long-term, steady approach to resolving outstanding issues, especially those related to the border and the restoration of people-to-people ties.

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“It’s incumbent on both sides to address border issues, normalise exchanges, and avoid trade restrictions,” Jaishankar posted on X following the meeting. He added that mutual respect, mutual interest, and mutual sensitivity are key to placing the relationship on a positive trajectory.

2020 Galwan clashes and long military stand-off

In June 2020, long-standing tensions between India and China flared into a deadly confrontation in the Galwan Valley along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The clash erupted leading to a brutal hand-to-hand fight. Though no firearms were used, soldiers engaged in savage combat using stones, iron rods, and nail-studded clubs.

The confrontation resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers, including a commanding officer. China later confirmed four fatalities on its side, though independent assessments suggested the actual number may have been significantly higher. The incident marked the first combat fatalities along the India-China border since 1975 and triggered one of the most serious military standoffs between the two nations in decades.

India’s harsh response to the clashes

In response, India rapidly strengthened its military posture across eastern Ladakh, deploying additional troops to key locations including Galwan, Pangong Tso, Gogra, and the Shyok Valley to deter further incursions and secure strategic positions. Simultaneously, the government accelerated infrastructure development under the Indo–China Border Roads initiative, with the Darbuk–Shyok–DBO (DSDBO) road becoming a logistical lifeline for troop mobility and supply.

On the diplomatic front, India and China engaged in multiple rounds of high-level talks—ranging from corps-commander level meetings to foreign office consultations. These discussions resulted in a phased disengagement at several friction points by mid-2021, although full resolution remained elusive. The diplomatic process continued through 2024, reflecting the complex nature of the standoff.

Parallel to military and diplomatic actions, India also launched economic countermeasures. It banned over 300 Chinese mobile apps, including TikTok, and imposed tighter scrutiny on Chinese investments, aiming to reduce economic dependency and safeguard national security. The Galwan clash thus reshaped India’s strategic approach—militarily, diplomatically, and economically—in its dealings with China.