Indian diaspora in China flags visa, social media concerns at embassy’s first Open House in years

Indian professionals living in China expressed worries about visa restrictions, inadequate social media support, and employment limitations during the Indian Embassy's first Open House since a while. The embassy hosted the event on July 31, 2026, bringing together numerous Indian professionals from various sectors in Beijing for a discussion on community issues.

Indian Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami, along with Consular, Education, and Community Affairs Counsellor Nitinjeet Singh and Visa Counsellor Ramesh Singh, engaged with diaspora members on multiple issues. The concerns included an increase in abusive posts about Indians on Chinese social media platforms, a reduction in job visas granted to Indian professionals, constraints on spouses' employment, and difficulties with consular services.

Doraiswami, who took office in May and has been actively engaging with Chinese officials to enhance bilateral relations, announced that the embassy plans to streamline visa documentation requirements for Chinese nationals applying for Indian visas starting next week to ease travel to India. He also mentioned that the Chinese government is addressing the rise in abusive content on social media by taking measures to tackle the issue.

The embassy counters misinformation by sharing accurate information via its social media platforms. Doraiswami further disclosed that the embassy aims to organize more cultural events, building upon the overwhelming response to events like the Vasant Mela, to promote India's diverse culture and cuisine. Additionally, the mission is in the process of establishing a system with legal professionals to assist Indians facing work-related issues.

To enhance consular services for the Indian diaspora, the embassy intends to conduct Open House interactions regularly to address their concerns.