China adds online visas to thaw
China on Monday announced online visa application for Indians. The new system will be launched on December 22. The Chinese Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong shared the update on social media, noting that the digital platform will allow users to complete visa forms and upload required documents directly through the website.
The launch comes shortly after India fully restored its visa regime for Chinese tourists and business travellers. On November 26, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that visas in these categories are fully functional again, ending a five-year freeze imposed following the border tensions in 2020.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that tourist visas for Chinese nationals — paused since the pandemic and subsequent border events — have resumed worldwide as of November 2025. Business visas had been reintroduced earlier and continue to be processed without restrictions.
The reinstatement of visas is part of a series of people-oriented confidence-building steps agreed upon between New Delhi and Beijing this year. These include the restart of direct commercial flights in October 2025 and progress on reviving the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage route deeply significant to Indian travellers.
Analysts say the reopening of travel channels is expected to boost tourism flows, trade activity, and person-to-person exchanges between the world’s two most populous nations, providing a positive signal amid ongoing diplomatic complexities. The Chinese Embassy’s new online visa system is anticipated to support this momentum by offering a faster, more accessible application experience for travellers seeking to visit China.
India Issues China Alert
New Delhi: The Government of India has issued an advisory urging Indian citizens to exercise “due discretion” when travelling to or transiting through China, following an incident in which an Indian national from Arunachal Pradesh was detained at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport.
The advisory comes more than two weeks after Chinese authorities allegedly refused to acknowledge the woman’s Indian passport during a transit stop on 21 November, resulting in her temporary detention. The case prompted strong concern in New Delhi, particularly over the treatment of Indian travellers holding valid documentation.
Responding to media queries on Monday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for assurances from Beijing that Indian citizens will not face selective or arbitrary action at Chinese airports. “We expect the Chinese authorities to ensure that Indian citizens transiting through Chinese airports are not selectively targeted, arbitrarily detained or harassed,” Jaiswal said. He emphasised that China must uphold international norms governing air travel and abide by rules that apply to all transiting passengers.
While the MEA continues to follow up on the matter with Chinese authorities, the spokesperson noted that New Delhi’s current advice is rooted in concerns about recent developments. “The Ministry of External Affairs would advise Indian nationals to exercise due discretion while travelling to or transiting through China,” he added.
The incident has drawn attention at a sensitive time in bilateral relations, which have seen a cautious resumption of exchanges-including the revival of visa services and direct flights-after years of strain. However, New Delhi’s latest advisory signals that concerns over individual safety and passport recognition remain unresolved. Further updates on travel protocols or additional advisories are expected if the situation evolves.
