India and China to Resume Direct Flights After Five Years

India and China are set to restart direct flights between the two countries after more than five years, as both nations work to strengthen political and economic ties amid global trade uncertainties.

The announcement was made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. Modi did not provide a specific date for when flights will resume.

This marks Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. Relations between the two countries, which faced tensions after border clashes in 2020, have been improving recently. In August, India and China agreed to facilitate bilateral trade and investment, following discussions between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met Modi, who praised the progress in relations as being “guided by respect for each other’s interests.”

Direct flights between India and China were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and never resumed due to diplomatic strains. Currently, travelers must use hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.

India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, has expressed readiness to restart services once cleared, and Air India is expected to resume flights as well. Before the suspension, airlines from both countries, including Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern, operated direct routes between major cities.

Earlier this year, India also reopened tourist visas for Chinese nationals after years of restrictions. Although there were previous agreements in January and June to resume flights, progress had been slow until now.