At Beijing outreach, Indian diaspora flags anti-India posts, visa curbs

New Delhi/Beijing: The Indian Embassy in Beijing hosted an Open House on Friday, bringing together members of the Indian diaspora to discuss issues affecting the community. Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami and senior embassy officials interacted with professionals from various sectors, marking the first such outreach under the current envoy.

Participants raised concerns over what they described as a growing trend of abusive posts on Chinese social media targeting Indians, including comments on Indian culture and food habits. They also flagged the declining number of work visas being issued by Chinese authorities and difficulties faced by spouses seeking employment in China.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Doraiswami acknowledged the concerns and said Chinese authorities were aware of the increase in such online content and were taking measures to curb it. He added that the embassy was responding by pushing verified, fact-based information through its official social media channels to counter misinformation.

In a move aimed at encouraging greater travel to India, the ambassador announced that documentation requirements for Chinese citizens applying for Indian visas would be eased from next week. This is expected to facilitate smoother people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

To improve support for the Indian community, the embassy is working on a legal assistance framework for professionals facing workplace-related issues in China. The Open House is also planned to be institutionalised as a regular forum for addressing consular and community concerns, ensuring that diaspora voices are heard on a consistent basis.

Cultural outreach programmes are also set to be expanded, with events such as the Vasant Mela being organised to promote India's cultural diversity and cuisine. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to strengthen ties between the two nations.

The interaction comes amid ongoing efforts by New Delhi and Beijing to stabilise bilateral relations after years of strain. Ambassador Doraiswami, who assumed charge in May, has been stepping up diplomatic engagement with Chinese officials, signalling a willingness to rebuild trust and cooperation.

While the Open House highlighted specific grievances, it also underscored the importance of dialogue in addressing the challenges faced by the Indian community in China. The embassy's proactive approach reflects a commitment to safeguarding the interests of Indian nationals abroad while fostering a constructive bilateral relationship.