New Delhi: India and China have agreed to resume direct flights between the two countries, which had been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The announcement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. Modi said the resumption of flights would not only benefit the 2.8 billion people of both nations but also contribute to the welfare of humanity, stressing that ties would move forward on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that both sides had been engaged in intense technical discussions for weeks, with an Indian civil aviation delegation visiting Beijing earlier this week. He noted that a broad agreement has been reached, though operational issues such as scheduling and air service arrangements are still being finalised. He expressed confidence that flights will resume in the coming weeks, easing travel that currently requires connections through hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong, or Bangkok.
This development follows other recent steps towards normalisation, including the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra earlier this year and India’s decision last month to reissue tourist visas to Chinese citizens. Relations between New Delhi and Beijing have gradually improved after tensions flared during the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
During the talks, both leaders stressed that differences should not escalate into disputes and agreed that common interests outweigh disagreements. Modi underlined the need to maintain peace along the border as a prerequisite for smooth bilateral relations, while Xi put forward four suggestions to enhance ties: strengthening strategic communication, expanding cooperation, addressing each other’s concerns, and working together in multilateral forums. Modi welcomed these proposals and highlighted cooperation in trade balance, trans-border rivers, counter-terrorism, and cultural exchanges.
The decision to restart flights is being seen as a symbolic yet important step towards resetting ties between the two Asian giants. While some technical hurdles remain, both sides appear committed to focusing on stability, economic engagement, and people-to-people connectivity in the coming months.
