India has suspended tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has told its member airlines.

The move appeared to be in response to Beijing not allowing about 22,000 Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities to come back for attending classes.

These students had to return to India when the COVID-19 pandemic began in the beginning of 2020.

In a circular issued on April 20 regarding India, the IATA said, "Tourist visas issued to nationals of China (People's Republic) are no longer valid."

It said the following passengers are allowed to enter India: nationals of Bhutan, India, Maldives and Nepal; passengers with a residence permit issued by India; passengers with visa or an e-visa issued by India; passengers with an overseas citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet; passengers with a persons of Indian origin (PIO) card; and passengers with a diplomatic passport.

IATA also said that tourist visas with a validity of 10 years are no longer valid.

IATA has a membership of around 290 airlines that account for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic.

India has urged Beijing to adopt a "congenial stance" in the matter as the restriction is putting the careers of thousands of Indian students in jeopardy, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said on March 17.

However, Beijing has not given any categorical response on the return of these students.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar dhad also taken up the issue with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Dushanbe in September last year.

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