India Bans Chinese Citizens Travel On Its Airlines

New Delhi, December 28, 2020: India has given a befitting reply to China, asking all its airlines to ban the travel of Chinese nationals to India. Although the order is unofficial, it is seen as a response to the agreement to China. In November last year, China had passed similar orders for Indian travelers.

Flights between the two countries have been suspended for a long time, but Chinese travelers are reaching India via another country, with which air travel is not interrupted. In addition, Chinese citizens living in such countries are also coming to India from there for work and business.

According to a Times of India report, last weekend, both Indian and foreign airlines have been specifically told not to send Chinese nationals to India. Tourist visas are currently suspended in India, but foreigners are allowed to travel to work and some other categories of non-tourist visas. Sources say that most of the Chinese nationals flying to India come here via Europe.

Some airlines have been asked by authorities to give in writing to give Chinese citizens booked for flights to India a reason to refuse according to current norms.

India’s response has come as Indian sailors are stranded in various Chinese ports, as China is refusing to allow them to shore or even replace the crew. About 1,500 Indians have been affected by this because they cannot return home.

In early November, China suspended the entry of foreign nationals holding valid Chinese visas or residence permits from some countries, including India, due to the epidemic. The Chinese Embassy in India said in a statement on its website on 5 November, “The Chinese Embassy / Consulate in India will not stamp the health declaration for holders of the above categories of visas or residence permits.”