China Grants 85,000 Visas to Indians Amidst US-China Tensions
Between January 1 and April 9, 2025, over 85,000 visas were issued by the Chinese Embassy in India, significantly boosting people-to-people ties. This increase follows several visa relaxations, including eliminating online appointment requirements, biometric exemptions for short-term visitors, reduced fees, and faster processing times. The move is seen as a soft power initiative to foster goodwill, particularly amidst ongoing border tensions. Simultaneously, China emphasized the importance of strong India-China economic and trade relations, advocating for multilateralism against protectionist trade practices.
John Q. Hosedrinker