India is poised to accelerate the issuance of visas for Chinese technicians, aiming to resolve delays at manufacturing sites that have obstructed substantial investments.
Following a tense Himalayan border conflict in mid-2020, India had imposed restrictions on Chinese visitors and investments, but is now reconsidering its stance due to mounting economic setbacks.
Government sources revealed that India's trade ministry is advocating for expedited visa approvals, a move now viewed favorably by the foreign ministry despite initial reservations stemming from strained bilateral relations over the past four years.
Industry leaders and officials have privately urged the foreign ministry to reevaluate the visa policy, citing significant production challenges hindering Prime Minister Narendra Modi's drive to bolster domestic manufacturing.
According to estimates from the Economic Times, the electronics manufacturing sector alone suffered losses totaling $15 billion due to visa delays. These technicians are crucial for operating Chinese machinery integral to various high-tech sectors in India, including telecommunications, steel products, and solar panels.
In recent months, India has received approximately 1,600 visa applications for Chinese technicians, underscoring the urgent need to streamline the approval process.
To expedite business operations, particularly in 14 key sectors under a $24-billion initiative aimed at boosting high-tech electronics production, India plans to establish a dedicated fast-track visa portal. This initiative aims to reduce current visa approval times from a year to less than a month.
Officials also disclosed that the proposed visas would allow Chinese technicians to stay in India for up to six months, facilitating smoother operations of Chinese-made machinery in Indian factories.
The move marks a strategic pivot by India towards facilitating essential technical expertise while balancing national security concerns in the wake of previous geopolitical tensions. Photo by Shujenchang, Wikimedia commons.
