Global airlines body IATA says India’s “tourist visas issued to nationals of China are no longer valid”. Top government officials said India is still providing business, employment, consular and official visas to Chinese nationals.
India’s resolution to keep Chinese tourists out also comes in the wake of Chinese disinclination to authorize Indian students, over 20,000 of them, to return to China after departing from that country because of Covid.
As per the notice, nationals of only these countries are permitted to enter India: nationals of Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal; those with a residence permit issued by India; those with a visa or e-visa issued by India; those with an overseas citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet; those having a PIO card; and ambassadorial passport owner.
The global airlines body said tourist visas with a validity of 10 years are no longer valid.
In February, China pledged the Indian Embassy to work for the “early return” of the Indian students and ensure that they will not be “biased” in any way as their recommencement of studies is not a “political issue”.
preserve his country’s resolution to authorize students from some countries to return but not from India, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a media briefing on March 22 that “on the base of secure sound infestation hindrance and dominance, it is harmonize marshaling for a small number of foreign students with real needs to return to China in light of the changing international infestation situation and the attribute of the students’ majors”.
Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had taken up the matter with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during the latter’s visit to India.