India Sends Key Signal to China with Full Normalization

November 22 — According to a report by New Delhi Television (NDTV) cited by the Global Times, the Indian government has fully resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens in a move aimed at promoting the normalization of India-China relations. Indian media described the measure as another important signal of the continuing thaw in bilateral ties.Sources told The New Indian Expressthat the Indian government has notified its embassies and consulates worldwide to "fully resume tourist visa processing for Chinese citizens." This step aligns with a series of "people-centric measures" agreed upon by both sides to stabilize bilateral relations.In July this year, India resumed tourist visa services for Chinese citizens after a five-year hiatus, though processing was initially limited to the Indian Embassy in Beijing and its consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. The latest expansion of visa processing to global Indian missions reflects New Delhi's growing confidence in the current direction of bilateral relations, The New Indian Expressnoted.It is worth noting that, as reported by the Hindustan Timesand AFP on October 26, India and China resumed direct flights the same day — a significant step toward rebuilding relations after five years, particularly between the two most populous countries in Asia."The resumption of China-India direct flights has become a reality," posted a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India on social media on October 26. The Hindustan Timesdescribed the move as a major milestone in restoring normal travel links. The Indian government stated that the resumed flights would facilitate "people-to-people exchanges" and contribute to the "gradual normalization of bilateral interactions."Regarding the resumption of direct flights, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry stated that China is willing to work with India to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, promote sustained, healthy, and stable development of ties, deliver greater benefits to both nations and peoples, and contribute to peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.Source: Adapted from online news reports. Image credit omitted as requested.