India, China to resume direct flights after 5 years as relations thaw

"Latest move underscores efforts to normalise ties and draw closer in wake of Trump's policies, stiff tariffs. India and China plan to resume direct flights this month between some of their cities after a five-year suspension as relations between the two countries begin to thaw, Indian authorities have announced. The closer ties come in the face of the United States President Donald Trump administration's aggressive trade policies."

"Direct flights between the two countries were suspended during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and did not resume as Beijing and New Delhi engaged in prolonged border tensions. On Thursday, India's embassy to China said in a post on social media platform WeChat that flights between designated cities will resume by late October, subject to commercial carriers' decisions. The resumption is part of the Indian government's approach towards gradual normalization of relations between India and China, the embassy added."

India and China plan to resume direct flights this month after a five-year suspension. Flights were suspended during the COVID pandemic in 2020 and remained halted amid prolonged border tensions between Beijing and New Delhi. India's embassy in China said flights between designated cities will resume by late October, subject to commercial carriers' decisions. IndiGo announced a Kolkata–Guangzhou service from October 26. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China and met President Xi Jinping; both described India and China as development partners and discussed strengthening trade ties. The US raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50 percent, adding to global trade uncertainty. Relations plummeted in 2020 after security forces clashed along a disputed Himalayan border.

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