India and China have officially resumed direct commercial flights after a five-year suspension — a move widely viewed as a major step toward restoring normal diplomatic and economic relations between the two Asian giants.
On Monday, IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata landed in Guangzhou, southern China, carrying about 180 passengers. It marked the first direct commercial flight between the two countries since early 2020, when air travel was suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resumption comes amid a broader thaw in relations that had grown increasingly strained following a deadly border clash in the Himalayas in mid-2020. The incident froze high-level diplomatic engagements and led to a sharp decline in trade and people-to-people exchanges.
However, over the past year, both sides have shown renewed willingness to mend ties. A landmark border patrol coordination agreement reached in 2023 paved the way for the restoration of limited exchanges, setting the stage for this week’s breakthrough.
In a statement earlier this month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the return of direct air connectivity “will facilitate people-to-people contact, boost tourism, and help normalise bilateral exchanges after years of disruption.”
A Symbolic Step Toward Normalcy
The resumption of flights is being seen as symbolic of a cautious but meaningful reconciliation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Before the pandemic, India and China operated nearly 2,600 scheduled flights annually, according to global travel data firm OAG. Routes connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai to major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai were particularly busy, supporting trade, education, and tourism links.
Those links were abruptly cut off in 2020 when both countries suspended visas and cancelled air services amid rising tensions. The restart of the Kolkata–Guangzhou route is, therefore, being heralded as the “first bridge” in rebuilding trust.
China Eastern Airlines has also announced plans to launch a Shanghai–Delhi service beginning November 9, operating three times per week. Aviation experts predict that more routes could follow in 2025 as confidence returns.
Diplomatic Momentum
The restoration of flights coincides with a broader diplomatic push to rebuild confidence. In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years to meet President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
The two leaders reportedly discussed steps toward “de-escalation and delimitation” along their disputed Himalayan border. Their meeting came after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi, where he met with Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss “stabilising relations through dialogue.”
Officials say both countries have agreed to strengthen communication channels to prevent misunderstandings and incidents along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
As part of the broader reconciliation process, India reinstated visa issuance for Chinese tourists in July — another move aimed at restoring people-to-people exchanges.
Trade and Business Implications
The resumption of flights carries major implications for business and trade. China remains one of India’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $136 billion in 2023, despite strained relations.
Direct flights will reduce transit times and operational costs for businesses, while also benefiting students and professionals who frequently travel between the two countries.
At Kolkata airport, IndiGo staff marked the milestone by lighting traditional brass oil lamps before departure — a gesture symbolising peace and new beginnings.
Qin Yong, a senior Chinese consular official present at the ceremony, described the day as “a very important step for the India-China relationship.”
“Resuming air services is not only about transportation; it’s about rebuilding confidence and cooperation,” Qin said.
Passengers, too, expressed relief and optimism. Business traveller Krishna Goyal told reporters, “Earlier, we had to change two or three flights to reach China. This will save time, money, and strengthen trade ties.”
A New Chapter After Years of Frost
Analysts say that while the resumption of flights does not immediately resolve deeper geopolitical differences, it demonstrates both governments’ intent to restore normalcy and improve communication.
The relationship between India and China — two of the world’s most populous nations — has historically swung between cooperation and rivalry. The border clashes of 2020 marked a low point, but since late 2023, a gradual process of re-engagement has been taking shape.
Dr. Meera Krishnan, a professor of international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University, said the reopening of air links “reflects quiet diplomacy at work.”
“Both sides realise that economic interdependence remains too important to ignore,” she said. “The flight resumption is not just logistical — it’s deeply political. It signals that engagement is preferable to estrangement.”
Looking Ahead
The restoration of direct flights is expected to have a positive ripple effect on tourism, education, and cultural exchange. Thousands of Indian students pursuing degrees in China’s medical and engineering universities are expected to benefit, as are business delegations that rely on frequent travel for trade and investment projects.
Aviation industry sources suggest that talks are already underway to add new connections between Mumbai and Beijing by early next year.
Observers believe that if the current momentum continues, the upcoming BRICS and SCO ministerial meetings could further strengthen economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
For now, the return of direct air travel stands as a hopeful sign — one that both nations are ready to step past years of mutual suspicion and focus on rebuilding a more stable, practical relationship.
As one passenger remarked before boarding the historic flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou, “This is more than a journey between two cities — it’s a journey toward friendship.”
