India Resumes Tourist Visas for China

India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals through its global embassies and consulates, marking a significant step towards normalizing relations after years of military tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This decision expands on a limited resumption in July and follows the suspension of visas in 2020 due to the Galwan Valley clash. The move is part of broader 'people-centric steps' agreed upon by both India and China, which also include the resumption of direct flights in October, an agreement to restart the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra next summer, and efforts to commemorate 75 years of diplomatic ties. Diplomatic momentum has built since an understanding on disengaging frontline troops was reached in October 2024, followed by a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in Kazan. Subsequent engagements involving foreign and defense ministers, national security advisers Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, have led to progress in areas like border trade and economic cooperation, with China also easing export curbs on rare earth minerals.