New Delhi (TDI): India has announced reforms to its business visa system aimed at facilitating the entry of foreign engineers and technicians, a move expected to help local manufacturers that rely on Chinese professionals for machinery installation, training, and maintenance.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) said on Wednesday that a new digital platform, launched last month, allows companies to generate sponsorship letters for inviting foreign specialists. Visa forms have been simplified, and approvals from additional ministries are no longer required, streamlining the process.
The eased visas cover tasks such as factory installation, commissioning, maintenance, and production operations. Chinese professionals, in particular, are critical for factories using Chinese machinery, as they often train local staff and provide technical support.
The move comes amid signs of improving ties between India and China. Last week, India reduced bureaucratic hurdles for Chinese business visas, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China earlier this year, his first in seven years, where he met President Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening bilateral relations.
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Following the border clashes between the two nuclear-armed neighbours in 2020, India had imposed strict restrictions on Chinese visitors, expanding visa scrutiny across multiple government departments.
The tighter visa regime reportedly caused significant disruptions. According to the Observer Research Foundation, Indian electronics manufacturers lost an estimated $15 billion over four years due to delays in acquiring Chinese technical expertise. Major Chinese firms, including Xiaomi, faced challenges in sending staff to India, while the solar sector also suffered from skilled labour shortages.
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Industry leaders have welcomed the reforms, noting that faster access to foreign technical talent could accelerate production, support expansion plans, and help India maintain its manufacturing competitiveness.
