Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: China has urged its citizens to avoid Nepal-India border areas and strictly prevent inadvertently crossing into India.
Issuing a travel advisory on its official WeChat channel on Friday, the Embassy of China advised its citizens against traveling to Nepal-India border areas in view of increased surveillance of the border by the Armed Police Force of Nepal.
“Nepal and India have a mutual visa-free policy, allowing citizens of both countries to travel freely, but third-country nationals, including Chinese citizens, are not exempt from visa requirements to enter India via Nepal. Chinese citizens in Nepal must take this seriously, avoid blindly following local guides, and refrain from entering India without a valid Indian visa due to negligence or a fluke mentality,” it said. “India imposes severe penalties for illegal entry; even unintentional entry can lead to arrest and prosecution, with potential imprisonment of 2-8 years and fines, and bail is difficult to obtain.”
The embassy has advised Chinese citizens to obtain an Indian visa in advance and enter India through an open Indian port after passport and visa verification at an Indian immigration checkpoint if travel from Nepal to India is necessary. “Strictly comply with Nepal and India’s entry and exit regulations, and avoid photographing Indian border facilities, vehicles, etc., to prevent unnecessary trouble.”
