India on Thursday asked China to allow Indian citizens to travel to that country especially those who work or study there, and said that essential two-way travel should be facilitated, especially keeping in view the fact that Chinese nationals are able to travel to India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also said that it was in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek an early resumption of travel by Indian citizens to China. "While we recognize the need to ensure safety and strictly follow COVID- related protocols, essential two-way travel should be facilitated, especially keeping in view the fact that Chinese nationals are able to travel to India," MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a media briefing. Noting that Chinese nationals are able to travel to India despite the absence of direct connectivity, he said," however, for Indian nationals, travel to China has not been possible since last November as the Chinese side had suspended existing visas". The spokesperson said,"we have been in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek an early resumption of travel by Indian citizens to China, especially for those who work or study there," In March this year, the Chinese Embassy issued a notification about facilitating visas for those taking Chinese-made vaccines, Bagchi said. "It is understood that several Indian nationals have applied for Chinese visas after getting vaccinated in that manner but are yet to be issued visas. Since these Indian nationals have apparently met the requirements laid down by the Chinese side, we hope that the Chinese embassy would be able to issue them visas soon," Bagchi said.
