Chinese Consulate Warns Chinese Citizens in Nepal to Avoid Straying into Indian Territory

Chinese authorities report that a Chinese citizen in Nepal was arrested for mistakenly entering Indian territory, and are reminding Chinese nationals in Nepal not to travel to areas near the India-Nepal border to avoid accidentally entering India.

The Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata said in a post on its WeChat official account on Friday (November 6) that a Chinese citizen in Nepal was detained by Indian border troops in the Nepal-India border area after mistakenly entering Indian territory, and the consulate reminded Chinese citizens that they must obtain a visa in advance to enter India.

The consulate noted that the Nepal-India border is an open border with few boundary markers.

Chinese citizens in Nepal who travel to the Nepal-India border area can easily stray into Indian territory, and without a valid Indian visa, the risk of being detained by Indian border troops or police is extremely high.

The consulate said that India imposes severe penalties on illegal entrants; whether entry is intentional or accidental, anyone found to have entered illegally will be detained and handed over to the judicial authorities, with penalties of two to eight years in prison and a fine, and bail is difficult to obtain.

The consulate therefore urged Chinese citizens in Nepal to take this matter very seriously, not to travel to areas near the India-Nepal border, and not to take chances or rely on the guidance of local guides, so as to avoid unnecessary serious consequences and personal losses.

The consulate also reminded Chinese citizens holding valid Indian visas that after entering India, they must not travel to restricted areas for foreigners without written permission from Indian authorities; they must leave India before their visa expires and must not overstay, otherwise they will bear all legal consequences themselves.

In May this year, the Chinese Consulate General in Kolkata also issued the same reminder on its WeChat official account.