India scraps tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals in tit-for-tat move

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India has suspended tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has told its member airlines.</p>
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The move appeared to be in response to Beijing not allowing about 22,000 Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities to come back for attending classes.</p>
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These students had to return to India when the COVID-19 pandemic began in the beginning of 2020.</p>
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In a circular issued on April 20 regarding India, the IATA said, "Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People's Republic) are no longer valid."</p>
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It said the following passengers are allowed to enter India: nationals of Bhutan, India, Maldives and Nepal; passengers with a residence permit issued by India; passengers with visa or an e-visa issued by India; passengers with an overseas citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet; passengers with a persons of Indian origin (PIO) card; and passengers with a diplomatic passport.</p>
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IATA also said that tourist visas with a validity of 10 years are no longer valid.</p>
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IATA has a membership of around 290 airlines that account for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic.</p>
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India has urged Beijing to adopt a "congenial stance" in the matter as the restriction is putting the careers of thousands of Indian students in jeopardy, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said on March 17.</p>
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However, Beijing has not given any categorical response on the return of these students.</p>
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar dhad also taken up the issue with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Dushanbe in September last year.</p>
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<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/economy-news/why-is-china-s-yuan-depreciating-166389.html">Why is China's yuan depreciating?</a></strong></p>