However, despite these efforts to modernize and simplify the process, trust among Indian travelers regarding China as a tourist destination remains a structural challenge. Beyond the purely administrative aspects of the visa, there are persistent perceptions in the Indian market about practical barriers such as treatment at the border, migration controls, and bilateral relations between the two countries, historically marked by geopolitical tensions involving territorial disputes and regional security issues. This lack of trust influences travel decisions for many Indian citizens, who evaluate factors such as ease of entry, overall travel experience, and perceptions of welcome and hospitality before choosing an international destination.
The digital approach is also part of a broader strategy by China to revive and expand its economic ties with India, especially in sectors where travel demand is high, including leisure trips, family visits, and shopping tourism. The Chinese government has identified Indian tourism as an opportunity to offset the slowdown in some traditional source markets after the pandemic and to diversify its sources of foreign visitors. In this context, visa simplification is viewed as a necessary first step, although not sufficient on its own, to attract a wider segment of Indian travelers.
International tourism experts point out that while eliminating in-person requirements and digitizing the process reduces formal barriers, other elements will need to be addressed to drive a substantial increase in visitor numbers. The quality of tourism infrastructure, direct air connections, access to information in local languages, and the overall perception of safety are all decisive factors in travel planning. In particular, direct air links between major hubs in India and China, which were only partially restored after years of disruption, are considered essential if many tourists are to seriously consider China as an attractive option versus regional competitors that are more accessible and heavily promoted.
Beyond the administrative advantages provided by the new visa system, the tourism industry hopes these measures will be accompanied by more aggressive promotional campaigns that position China as not just an accessible destination, but also a desirable one. This involves emphasizing cultural attractions, shopping opportunities, culinary experiences, and natural destinations that resonate with the interests and expectations of Indian travelers. Competition from destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, which already offer more favorable visa policies or even exemptions for Indian citizens, underlines the need for China not only to simplify its requirements, but also to improve the overall perception of the travel experience it offers.
At the same time, analysts note that traveler confidence is not built solely on efficient administrative processes, but also on the consistency of bilateral relations and the perception of stability and mutual respect between countries. In that sense, although diplomatic relations between China and India show signs of rapprochement in various sectors, historical disputes and recent border incidents remain sensitive issues that can influence the travel decisions of a significant number of potential tourists.
China’s simplification of the visa process is an important initiative aimed at capturing a larger share of India’s outbound travel market by offering a more accessible pathway for Indian citizens to visit Chinese destinations. However, trust and the perception of China as an attractive and welcoming destination remain key factors that will determine the effectiveness of this policy. The success of the strategy will depend not only on migration facilitation, but also on China’s ability to strengthen its positive image among Indian travelers, align its tourism offerings with global expectations, and build a more stable and appealing long-term relationship between the two nations.
