New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- Problems in renewal of visas for Chinese technicians have slowed the pace of buildout of India's lithium-ion battery manufacturing factories for electric vehicles and energy storage, according to two people aware of the matter.

The issues are happening despite bilateral relations between India and China having eased in the past few months. India had stopped approving visas for Chinese nationals after the 2020 Galwan clashes, but began issuing short-term visas in August 2024 under the production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.

The first person cited above said on condition of anonymity that Chinese workers currently receive six-month visas, after which they must return home and wait for some months before returning, ...