Issue visas to students who complied with your vaccination guidelines: India to China

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday urged China to consider issuing visas and allow students and professionals who have followed all the guidelines laid by the Chinese embassy to travel.
"As the Chinese side has suspended existing visas in March this year, the Chinese embassy issued a notification about facilitating visas for those taking Chinese-made vaccines. Several Indian nationals have applied for Chinese visas after getting vaccinated in that manner but they are yet to be issued visas. Since these Indian nationals had met the requirement laid down by the Chinese embassy, we would hope that Chinese embassy would be able to issue Chinese visa soon." Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.
"As far as specific case of China or Chinese visas, currently persons from China including Chinese nationals are able to travel to India despite absence of direct air connectivity however for Indian nationals travel to China has not been possible since last November," he added.
The government affirmed that it is in touch with China on the issue.
"We have been in touch with the Chinese side in order to seek early resumption of travel by Indian citizens especially those who work and study there, he said.
He further stated that efforts are on to help and facilitate students who are in similar situation adding that it is in touch with countries on the issue.
"We are aware of the challenges being faced by Indian students who are unable to join and return to foreign countries to pursue their studies, we have been taking this issue up with the concern governments on priority we have also requested students facing difficulties to contact MEA details are available on our website and social media handles," Bagchi said.
China had made it mandatory for people coming from India and 19 other nations to get Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccines if they want to travel to the country.
"For the purpose of resuming people-to-people exchanges in an orderly manner, starting from 15 March, 2021, the Chinese Embassies and Consulates in India will provide the persons having taken Chinese-made COVID-19 vaccine and holding the Certificates of Vaccination," a notice posted on the Chinese Embassy said.