India, China to resume direct flights starting this month
What's the story
India and China have agreed to resume direct flights, marking a major step toward normalizing bilateral relations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the announcement on Thursday. The decision comes after years of strained ties following the Doklam crisis and Galwan clashes in 2020. The suspension of flights was further extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flight resumption
Resumption of direct air services by late October
"Since earlier this year, as part of the Government's approach toward gradual normalization of relations between India and China, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries have been engaged in technical-level discussions on resuming direct air services between the two countries and on a revised Air Services Agreement," the MEA said. Following these discussions, direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, it added.
Bilateral ties
Enhancing people-to-people contact
The resumption of direct flights is expected to enhance people-to-people contact between India and China. This move comes after a series of confidence-building measures undertaken by both countries over the past year. These include high-level diplomatic and military dialogues, increased Track-II engagements, and easing trade restrictions on select goods. Both countries have been working on stabilizing ties since late 2024, starting with disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Depsang and Demchok.
Diplomatic visit
Announcement after Wang Yi's visit to India
The first announcement regarding the resumption of direct flights was made last month after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi. The announcement was also made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stressed that "the interests of 2.8 billion people of both countries are linked to our cooperation." The suspension of flights had forced travelers to take connecting flights through regional hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok, increasing travel time and costs.