India and China Resume Direct Flights, Signaling Gradual Normalisation of Ties

Direct flights between India and China have resumed after a hiatus of more than five years, reflecting improving diplomatic relations between the two Asian powers. On Monday, IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata touched down in Guangzhou, carrying approximately 180 passengers.

Air travel between India and China was first suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suspension continued after a deadly border clash in the Himalayan region, which significantly strained bilateral ties. The resumption of flights is seen as a milestone in a series of steps aimed at easing tensions and restoring cooperation.

The Indian government stated that resuming direct flights would "facilitate people-to-people contact" and contribute to "the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges." Airline staff at Kolkata airport marked the historic moment by lighting brass oil lamps, welcoming passengers for the first direct service in years.

Diplomatic engagements over the past year have been pivotal in restoring dialogue. In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, meeting President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Earlier that month, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Delhi to discuss "de-escalation, delimitation and boundary affairs" with Indian officials.

In July, India resumed issuing visas for Chinese tourists, further easing travel restrictions.

Passengers on the IndiGo flight expressed optimism that direct flights would reduce travel time and promote trade. Krishna Goyal, travelling for business, explained that previously, reaching China from Kolkata involved multiple connections, often routing through Singapore.

China Eastern Airlines is set to operate a direct flight between Shanghai and Delhi starting 9 November, flying three times weekly. A senior Chinese consular official, Qin Yong, described the day as "very important for the India-China relationship," emphasizing the broader significance of renewed connectivity.

According to travel data from OAG, India and China operated around 2,588 scheduled flights in 2019 before services were suspended, highlighting the scale of air travel between the nations before diplomatic tensions and the pandemic intervened.

The resumption of direct flights is widely viewed as part of a gradual process to normalise ties, rebuild trust, and strengthen both economic and cultural exchanges between India and China.