India has eased visa regulations for Chinese professionals in a move aimed at strengthening economic engagement with Beijing and reducing production delays caused by a shortage of skilled technicians, officials confirmed.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi signals a gradual thaw in bilateral relations—set against rising U.S. tariffs—New Delhi has eliminated an additional layer of administrative vetting and accelerated business visa processing to under four weeks, according to senior officials.
The shift, first reported by Reuters through its Tariff Watch newsletter, marks a significant reversal of measures imposed after the 2020 India–China border clash, which had subjected most Chinese visitors to heightened scrutiny across multiple ministries. That tighter regime has now been eased, one source familiar with the matter said.
“We have removed the layer of administrative vetting and are processing business visas within four weeks,” an official stated.
Requests for comment from India’s foreign, home, and commerce ministries—as well as the prime minister’s office and the government’s top policy think tank—went unanswered.
Analysts at the Observer Research Foundation estimate that the prolonged visa restrictions cost India’s electronics manufacturing sector around $15 billion in lost output over four years, due to heavy dependence on Chinese machinery for mobile phone assembly. Companies such as Xiaomi were among those affected, as reported by Reuters earlier.
The curbs had also slowed expansion plans in India’s electronics ecosystem and disrupted labour availability in the solar industry.
The relaxation follows Modi’s visit to China earlier this year—the first by an Indian prime minister in seven years—during which he met President Xi Jinping and explored avenues for deeper cooperation. Direct flights between the two countries have since resumed for the first time since 2020.
A high-level committee led by former Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, now part of India’s premier government think tank, recommended easing certain restrictions to support Chinese investment. Industry groups have welcomed the move. Pankaj Mohindroo, chairman of the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association, said the streamlined visa process for skilled professionals shows greater collaboration and responsiveness to industry needs.
Officials say the policy update aligns with India’s broader strategy to scale up production across finished goods, components, and sub-assemblies. Observers note that the coming months will reveal how the revised visa norms shape foreign investment and cross-border technological cooperation—particularly in sectors reliant on Chinese expertise and supply chains.
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