Current Affairs - International - Discussion

On July 24, 2025, India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year suspension that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened bilateral tensions following the Galwan Valley clash. This diplomatic move signals a thaw in strained India-China relations and demonstrates India’s renewed focus on soft power and tourism. The decision also aligns with the reopening of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage of significant cultural importance for many Chinese-origin devotees. Resuming visas for Chinese tourists is expected to boost inbound tourism, cultural exchange, and economic activity, especially in hospitality and religious tourism sectors.