India has overhauled its business visa rules to make it easier for foreign engineers and technicians to work in the country, a move expected to help manufacturers that rely heavily on Chinese specialists for factory operations and technical support.
The government said the changes are designed to cut paperwork and speed up approvals for professionals involved in factory installation, commissioning, maintenance, and production. The reform is seen as a practical step to ease long standing bottlenecks faced by Indian firms using imported machinery.
India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade said it launched a new digital platform last month that allows companies to generate sponsorship letters directly. Visa application forms have also been simplified, and businesses will no longer need additional clearances from multiple ministries, according to the statement.
The department said the revised system applies to a wide range of industrial activities and is aimed at reducing delays that previously slowed down manufacturing schedules.
Indian manufacturers depend largely on Chinese engineers and technicians for such roles, particularly in electronics and solar plants that use Chinese equipment. These specialists often train local staff and help keep production lines running.
India sharply restricted visas for Chinese nationals after deadly clashes between the two countries along their Himalayan border in mid 2020. The tightened checks expanded scrutiny beyond the foreign and home ministries and effectively blocked most Chinese business travel.
Reuters reported last week that India had begun easing procedures for Chinese professionals, signalling a cautious thaw in ties. The policy shift follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China earlier this year, his first in seven years, where he met President Xi Jinping and discussed steps to stabilise relations.
In recent months, New Delhi has also been balancing its foreign policy as exporters face pressure from higher United States tariffs, prompting a more measured approach toward Beijing.
The Observer Research Foundation estimates that stricter visa checks caused production losses of about 15 billion dollars over four years for Indian electronics makers that import key machinery from China.
Major Chinese electronics brands such as Xiaomi have struggled to secure visas for staff, according to industry executives. They have said the curbs slowed expansion plans in India, while the solar sector also faced shortages of skilled labour needed to install and service equipment.
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Africa Digital News, New YorkÂ
