In a landmark development signaling the easing of tensions between China and India, the two countries have agreed to resume direct commercial flights for the first time in five years. This agreement marks a significant step toward re-establishing normalcy in the bilateral relations of the world’s two most populous nations.
The suspension of direct flights between India and mainland China dates back to the early months of 2020, when the global Covid-19 pandemic led to widespread travel restrictions. As the pandemic subsided, the suspension was further prolonged due to ongoing political and military tensions between the two nations. However, the recent announcement of a new consensus to resume these flights signals an optimistic shift.
The decision came following a key meeting in Beijing between India’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, and China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. According to a statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, both countries reached an agreement “in principle” to resume direct air services, with additional discussions expected to finalize the details.
This new arrangement will reconnect major cities in both nations that have long maintained strong economic, cultural, and academic ties. The suspension of flights not only disrupted business and tourism but also affected students and families who had to endure long, costly layovers to travel between the two countries. One such individual, Anayat Ali, an Indian PhD student in Shanghai, expressed his excitement over the resumption of direct flights. He highlighted how this move would cut down on travel costs and stress, particularly for Indian students in China.
In addition to the resumption of direct flights, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it would also reopen two revered pilgrimage sites in western Tibet, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, to Indian pilgrims. These sacred destinations, which hold spiritual significance for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon practitioners, have long been a point of cultural and religious connection between the two nations. The reopening is expected to be warmly received by Indian devotees who have been unable to visit these sites due to travel restrictions.
The resumption of flights comes on the heels of efforts to ease long-standing tensions between the two countries. Relations between China and India have been strained, particularly after a deadly border clash in the Himalayas in June 2020. The skirmish led to the deaths of at least 24 soldiers from both sides. Since then, military disengagement and diplomatic talks have taken place, but points of friction, particularly over the Line of Actual Control (LAC), have remained a source of discord.
Despite these challenges, both countries have sought to re-engage in recent months. A meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in Russia last October highlighted their willingness to improve ties. The announcement to resume commercial flights reflects this ongoing diplomatic effort.
For Chinese citizens, the resumption of flights has sparked excitement, particularly among those who had previously planned to visit India before the pandemic began. A Weibo user recalled booking a ticket to India in early 2020, only for the flight and visa to be canceled due to the pandemic. “The wait lasted for five years… Must go to India,” they posted, echoing the sentiments of many who had hoped to travel to India once restrictions lifted.
While the resumption of flights is a positive development, some doubts remain about the pace at which travel may return to pre-pandemic levels. Passengers traveling between New Delhi and Beijing previously enjoyed a direct flight that took around seven hours. Now, travelers must transit through cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur, adding considerable time to the journey.
As both nations prepare to resume direct commercial flights, many are looking forward to a future of greater connectivity and cooperation. The news of resumed air travel between China and India is a hopeful sign of renewed trust and the potential for deeper ties between two ancient civilizations with a shared history of cultural and economic exchange.
