The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has informed its member airlines that India has suspended tourist visas for Chinese nationals.
The move looked to be a reaction to Beijing’s refusal to listen to complaints about 22,000 Hindustani students enrolled in Chinese colleges who are unable to return for physical classes. Until now, the neighboring country has refused to let them in.
Moreover, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in early 2020, these students were forced to abandon their studies in China and go to Hindustan.
“Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People’s Republic) are no longer valid,” the IATA stated in a circular released on April 20 referencing Hindustan.
The following passengers are authorized to enter India, according to the document: Passengers with a Bhutanese, Indian, Maldivian, or Nepalese passport; passengers with a Hindustani residence permit; passengers with an Indian visa or an e-visa; passengers with an overseas citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet; passengers with a person of Indian origin (PIO) card; and passengers with a diplomatic passport.
Meanwhile, tourist visas with a 10-year validity period are also no longer valid, according to the IATA.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a global airline association with roughly 290 members who account for more than 80% of global air travel.
India has urged Beijing to take a “congenial position” in the subject
According to MEA spokeswoman Arindam Bagchi, Hindustan has urged Beijing to take a “congenial position” in the subject because the persistence of tight restrictions is jeopardizing the academic careers of thousands of Indian students.
Mr. Bagchi claimed on February 8 that a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman confirmed that China was conducting a coordinated investigation into the matter and that measures for allowing foreign students to return to China were being considered.
“But, to be clear, the Chinese side has yet to provide a definitive reaction to the return of Indian students. We will continue to press the Chinese side to take a more accommodating posture in the interests of our students and to make it easier for our students to return to China and continue their studies “Bagchi explained.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Dushanbe in September last year, he added. On the fringes of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, the two foreign ministers met in the Tajik capital city.
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