Prime Minister Narendra Modi may go on a visit to China next month to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Just before that, the Government of India has taken an important decision and announced to resume the visa for Chinese tourists. If seen, this decision is not limited to tourism only, but there are also widespread strategic, diplomatic and economic signs behind it.
Let us remind you that violent clashes in the 2020 Galwan Valley in India-China relations proved to be a decisive turn. Since then, trust between the two countries was broken. Not only diplomatic dialogue was limited, but trade, tourism and cultural exchange were also badly affected. India banned Chinese apps, reviews several Chinese investment projects began and visas for Chinese tourists were also postponed.
Nearly five years later, starting India’s visa to Chinese tourists is a sign that India is now thinking about softening and reconstruction in relations. If seen, this decision of India gives three important indications. The first sign is diplomatic. In fact, before Prime Minister Modi’s possible visit to China, this step is a clear message that India wants to keep the path of dialogue open. India wants to show that it is strict about tension on the borders, but is not in favor of completely closing bilateral relations in the rest of the areas. The second indication is that tourist visa restoration is not only important from the economic point of view, but it is also an attempt to improve cultural dialogue and people’s level. Tourists coming from China are interested in Indian culture, Buddhist sites and historical heritage, which promotes mutual understanding. Also, Chinese tourists are considered to be a large number of tourists spending. This decision can also cause relief for India’s tourism and aviation industry. The third sign is from an economic point of view as China is the second largest trading partner in India.
Although the decision of the Government of India gives positive indications, it also contains some challenges and risks such as the border dispute is still unsolved and pending military level negotiations. In addition, public opinion in India is still doubtful to China; In such a situation, this decision can also cause political criticism. At the same time, there is still a lack of clarity by China regarding advertising, data and anti-India stance in technical sectors.
In addition, during the recent “Operation Sindoor”, China openly indicated that it was interested in strengthening India’s rivals by giving military and technical support to Pakistan. This situation is a serious indicator for India’s national security and diplomatic balance, especially when preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible visit to China are going on. In such a sensitive time, India needs to adopt multilevel vigilance, so that the security of the country is not only ensured, but also the strategic position of India. India should have to maintain high alerts before the Prime Minister’s visit and during the visit, throughout the North North Front. China is notorious to target the cyber structure of its opponents, so India should keep a strong monitoring on cyber security and communication channels during the Prime Minister’s visit and before that. Also, if anything arises about the economic partnership during the Prime Minister’s visit to China, India will have to ensure that it abstains from Chinese investment in strategic areas (such as 5G, AI, data centers etc.).
Overall, it is a positive diplomatic sign of India to start giving visas to Chinese tourists and welcoming it by China, but it will be hurry to see it as a basic improvement in India-China relations. However, the reception of this decision from China shows that Beijing is not currently in favor of maintaining relations in a very tense situation. At the same time, this step of India seems to be an attempt to make the atmosphere informally comfortable from both sides before Prime Minister Modi’s possible visit to China. Both countries have to understand that the basis of improvement in relations is only peace, mutual trust and transparency on boundaries.
However, restoring tourist visa for Chinese citizens is a step that reflects flexibility in India’s strategy. India wants to convey the message that it can be strict in response to aggression, but when there is a scope for dialogue and profit, then it is his policy to move forward by balance. Prime Minister Modi’s possible visit to China and SCO Summit can start a new chapter in this direction – where India will try to carry forward the policy of limited cooperation and balanced competition with China.