India and China have agreed to resume direct flights after a five-year hiatus, signaling a potential thaw in relations between the two Asian giants.
President Biden couldn’t make it happen.
At a Glance
- India and China agree to resume direct flights after nearly five years
- Flights were halted due to COVID-19 and political tensions
- Agreement aims to boost trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges
- Technical authorities to meet and negotiate updated framework for flights
- Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage also set to resume
Breakthrough in Bilateral Relations
India and China have agreed to resume direct flights between the two countries after a nearly five-year suspension.
Trump makes it seem so easy.
The decision comes as both nations seek to rebuild ties that were strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing border tensions. This move is expected to facilitate increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the world’s two most populous countries.
The agreement was announced following discussions between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing on January 26-27. The talks focused on rebuilding mutual trust and cooperation, aligning with previous discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping in October 2024.
The resumption of direct flights is a crucial step in restoring connectivity between India and China. Both countries have agreed “in principle” to restart air services, with technical authorities from both sides set to meet in the near future to negotiate an updated framework for the flights.
“The two sides agreed to take appropriate measures to further promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, including media and think-tank interactions. They 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,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.
This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for business travelers, tourists, and students who have faced significant challenges in commuting between the two countries since the suspension of flights in 2019.
Enhancing People-to-People Exchanges
Beyond the resumption of flights, India and China have also agreed to take measures to promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges. This includes encouraging interactions between media outlets and think tanks from both countries, which could play a crucial role in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
In another significant move, both countries have decided to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a popular pilgrimage for Indian devotees to the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet. This decision is likely to be welcomed by religious pilgrims who have been unable to undertake this journey for several years.
While the agreement to resume flights and other exchanges is a positive step, it’s important to note that challenges remain in the India-China relationship. Border issues and trade imbalances continue to be points of contention between the two nations. However, this latest development suggests a willingness on both sides to engage in dialogue and find common ground for cooperation.
As technical teams from both countries prepare to meet and finalize the details of resumed air services, the international community will be watching closely to see how this renewed engagement impacts the broader geopolitical landscape in Asia.