Air service between India and China was halted in 2020 as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic and has not been reinstated, primarily due to the decline in diplomatic relations between the two nations, following armed skirmishes at a contested border.
In October 2024, New Delhi and Beijing declared an agreement aimed at disengaging from contentious issues and committing to efforts to restore their relationship.
And finally, this week, India and China have reached a preliminary agreement to resume direct flights between the two nations after a five-year hiatus, signifying progress in their bilateral relations following an extended border dispute, although some Indian media sources reported that India had initially declined China’s requests to resume flights.
The announcement was made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on Monday, subsequent to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s two-day visit to Beijing.
The decision to reinstate direct flights was made during high-level discussions held in Beijing on Sunday and Monday, during which India and China built upon the agreements established in October.
The official statement issued by Indian Foreign Ministry said: “The meet also agreed in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries; the relevant technical authorities on the two sides will meet and negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date.”
Some Indian media sources report that India had initially declined China’s requests to resume flights.
The enhancement and advancement of relations between China and India contribute to the peace, stability, development, and prosperity of both Asia and the world, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared yesterday.
In a statement, Beijing highlighted that India will provide “full support” for China’s presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and will engage actively in the meetings organized under this framework.