Indian diaspora in China raises visa, social media concerns at embassy open house

The Indian Embassy in Beijing held its first Open House in recent years on Friday, July 31, 2026, drawing a significant number of Indian professionals working in various sectors in the Chinese capital. The initiative was aimed at discussing issues affecting the Indian community and strengthening ties between the mission and the diaspora.

Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami, accompanied by Counsellor (Consular, Education and Community Affairs) Nitinjeet Singh and Counsellor (Visa) Ramesh Singh, interacted with members of the community on a range of concerns. The discussions covered topics such as social media content, visa policies, employment restrictions, and consular services.

One of the key issues raised by participants was the increase in abusive content targeting Indian culture, food habits, and traditions on Chinese social media platforms. Many attendees expressed concern that such content could negatively impact the perception of India and Indians in China. Another major concern was the declining number of work visas issued by Chinese authorities to Indian professionals. Participants also highlighted restrictions on employment for spouses of Indian workers and difficulties related to consular assistance.

Responding to these concerns, Ambassador Doraiswami acknowledged the challenges and stated that the embassy is committed to addressing them. He noted that the Chinese government has also expressed concern about the rise in such social media content and is taking steps to tackle the issue. The embassy, he said, is countering misinformation by disseminating fact-based information through its official social media handles.

In a move aimed at facilitating greater travel between the two countries, the ambassador announced that the embassy would further simplify the documentation required for Chinese nationals applying for Indian visas starting from next week. This step is expected to encourage more Chinese citizens to visit India and promote people-to-people exchanges.

On the issue of employment for spouses, the ambassador did not provide specific solutions but indicated that the mission is working on mechanisms to assist Indians facing work-related challenges. He also mentioned plans to establish a formal mechanism with legal professionals to provide support to Indians dealing with workplace disputes or other legal issues in China.

Beyond addressing immediate concerns, Ambassador Doraiswami spoke about the embassy's efforts to showcase Indian culture and cuisine to Chinese audiences. He highlighted the success of annual programmes such as the Vasant Mela and said the embassy plans to organise more cultural events to build on this momentum. These initiatives are seen as part of broader efforts to improve bilateral ties, which have witnessed periodic strains in recent years.

The Open House interaction was part of the embassy's renewed focus on engaging with the Indian community in China. Ambassador Doraiswami, who assumed charge in May, has stepped up engagements with Chinese officials and community members as part of efforts to stabilise and improve relations between the two neighbours. The embassy has committed to holding such open house interactions periodically to ensure that the concerns of the diaspora are heard and addressed in a timely manner.

The event reflects a broader diplomatic effort to strengthen consular outreach and build trust among Indian nationals residing in China. With a large number of professionals, students, and businesspersons living in the country, regular communication between the mission and the community is seen as essential for safeguarding their interests and fostering a sense of belonging.