India Eases Visa Regime to Foster Industrial Harmony with China

India has reformed its business visa regime to ease entry for foreign engineers, particularly from China, facilitating business operations and reducing delays in manufacturing sectors. This reform, following diplomatic advances between India and China, aims to address production disruptions that cost billions due to previous visa restrictions.

In a significant move to streamline industrial collaboration, India has reformed its business visa regime to ease the entry process for foreign engineers and technicians, particularly those from China. This initiative is expected to benefit local firms, which rely heavily on Chinese professionals for manufacturing services and machinery operations.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade unveiled a new digital platform, allowing companies to generate sponsorship letters for inviting foreign professionals, streamlining visa forms, and eliminating unnecessary ministerial recommendations. This change is poised to expedite processes such as factory installation, maintenance, and production.

The reform marks a shift from the stringent measures following the 2020 Indo-China border clashes, with the government now removing red tape to mend ties. The previous visa restrictions reportedly led to an estimated $15 billion in production losses for Indian electronics makers, highlighting the need for this strategic adjustment.

(With inputs from agencies.)