India Accelerates Visas for Chinese Professionals as Ties Improve

India has announced a significant shift in its visa policy for Chinese professionals, aiming to enhance business relations between the two nations. The Indian government has decided to expedite the issuance of business visas for Chinese entities, reducing the approval time to less than four weeks. This move follows a recent thaw in diplomatic ties and is expected to facilitate smoother business operations.

According to a report by Reuters, which cites two government officials, New Delhi has eliminated a layer of administrative vetting that previously prolonged the visa process. One official stated, “We have removed the layer of administrative vetting and are processing the business visas within four weeks.” This decision reflects a broader effort to improve people-to-people exchanges between India and China, a sentiment echoed by China’s foreign ministry.

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, welcomed the faster visa processing, noting the positive action taken by India. He expressed China’s willingness to maintain communication and consultation with India moving forward. This development comes after a period of strained relations that began in 2020, following heightened border tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

The imposition of stricter visa checks had previously resulted in substantial economic implications. According to the Observer Research Foundation, the delays contributed to an estimated production loss of $15 billion as electronics companies struggled to bring in Chinese technicians essential for installing machinery. High-profile firms, such as Xiaomi, faced significant delays in securing visas, which hampered their expansion plans and affected industries like solar manufacturing.

As diplomatic and military dialogues have resumed, relations between India and China have begun to stabilize. Agreements on patrolling arrangements have been reached, leading to the complete disengagement from final standoff sites at Depsang and Demchok by December 2024. This momentum followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China earlier this year—the first in seven years—where he met with President Xi Jinping. Following this visit, the two countries also resumed direct flights for the first time since 2020.

The decision to expedite business visas was influenced by recommendations from a high-level committee chaired by former cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba. This committee is also reviewing investment restrictions that have previously dissuaded foreign investors from engaging with India.

Overall, the easing of visa restrictions marks a significant step in restoring cooperative relations between India and China, potentially paving the way for enhanced economic interactions and collaboration in various sectors.