Direct air services set to ease travel and boost bilateral ties
In a significant step towards normalising bilateral relations, India on Thursday announced the resumption of direct air services with China from late October. This move comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tianjin for the SCO summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The announcement marks the second major initiative by India in recent months to facilitate people-to-people exchanges with China. Earlier, the Indian government had resumed tourist visas for Chinese nationals, signalling a renewed emphasis on fostering closer ties.
Background and agreement details
Direct flights between India and China had been suspended since early 2020, initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later due to military and political tensions between the two countries. During Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China in January, both nations had agreed in principle to resume air services. Since then, civil aviation authorities from both sides have been engaged in technical-level discussions and revising the Air Services Agreement to facilitate safe and regular operations.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the agreement between the civil aviation authorities will enhance people-to-people contact and contribute to gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges, trade, and economic cooperation.
Airlines and flight schedules
IndiGo has announced that it will operate a daily nonstop flight between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26. Flights between Delhi and Guangzhou will also resume soon, with the date to be announced shortly. Air India is expected to restart flights between Delhi and Shanghai by the end of the year.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers emphasised the importance of resuming services, stating, “This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while also strengthening bilateral ties between two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies.”
Tickets for the Kolkata-Guangzhou flights will go on sale from Friday, and airline officials have confirmed that the resumption will be implemented in coordination with local partners to ensure smooth operations.
Significance of resuming flights
The resumption of direct flights is seen as a strategic move to reinforce economic and cultural cooperation between India and China. It is expected to facilitate trade, tourism, and business exchanges while promoting mutual understanding between citizens of both countries. Analysts also note that easing travel restrictions may provide momentum to joint projects and cross-border collaborations in sectors like technology, education, and manufacturing.
The latest initiative complements India’s broader efforts to maintain stable relations with China, balancing diplomatic engagement with national security considerations. With the revival of tourism and direct flights, both nations aim to strengthen connectivity and economic interdependence, paving the way for a more predictable and constructive bilateral relationship.
Conclusion
The resumption of direct air services from late October represents a concrete step in India-China relations, enabling better connectivity, boosting trade and tourism, and reinforcing diplomatic efforts. The renewed air links are likely to benefit both business communities and citizens, reflecting a pragmatic approach to normalising ties between the two Asian giants.