The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that an agreement allowing direct air services between designated points in India and China will restart later this month, in line with the winter schedule. These operations will depend on commercial decisions by the designated carriers and the fulfilment of all operational requirements.
The resumption of flights is expected to enhance people-to-people contact, strengthen business ties, and facilitate the gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges between the two neighbouring countries. This development will particularly benefit students, tourists, and professionals travelling between India and China.
Flights between the two countries had been suspended following the 2017 Doklam standoff and were further impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricted international travel. Relations took a further downturn after the Galwan standoff in May-June 2020. The current agreement signals a thaw in ties and renewed efforts to normalise relations after a prolonged period of disruption.
In August, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India and held talks with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar. Both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity at the earliest and to finalise an updated Air Services Agreement during the meeting. They also discussed facilitating visas for tourists, business travellers, media personnel, and other visitors in both directions.
During his visit, the Chinese Foreign Minister co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ dialogue on the Boundary Question with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM Modi emphasized that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China would contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity. He also highlighted the importance of strong people-to-people and economic exchanges for long-term bilateral stability.
