Direct flights between India and China are resuming after five years, signaling a major step toward improving bilateral relations that have been strained since the 2020 Ladakh border clash.
Background: Why Flights Were Suspended
Relations between India and China sharply deteriorated following the deadly Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, which plunged ties to their lowest point since the 1962 war. The suspension of flights began with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but ongoing border tensions in eastern Ladakh prolonged the halt in air connectivity.
Flight Restart Details
IndiGo will resume flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou on October 26, 2025, and from Delhi to Guangzhou starting November 10, 2025.
China Eastern Airlines will restart its Shanghai–Delhi route from November 9, 2025.
The reopening of air links is being hailed by both sides as a positive step to foster people-to-people exchanges, covering more than 2.8 billion people across India and China.
Diplomatic Progress Leading to the Restart
Multiple rounds of diplomatic and military talks since 2020 led to phased troop withdrawals from key friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.
In October 2024, a disengagement pact was reached for Depsang and Demchok, the last major disputes on the frontier.
High-level meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping culminated in an agreement to restore direct flights, recognized as a mutual step toward normalizing ties.
Consequences and Impact
People-to-People Exchanges: The resumption facilitates educational, business, and tourism opportunities, strengthening interpersonal bonds.
Economic Revival: Trade, investment, and collaboration across industries are expected to benefit from easier connectivity, fueling growth in both economies.
Diplomatic Trust Building: The move reflects a willingness from both Beijing and New Delhi to set aside past tensions and prioritize peaceful relations and mutual benefit in Asia.
Geopolitical Stability: A thaw in India-China relations could have positive ripple effects for regional peace and global diplomacy, especially in the context of evolving world dynamics.
Symbolic Reconciliation: Restoring flights is more than just a logistical update—it is a public gesture of reconciliation after years of mistrust and hostilities.
Conclusion
The restart of India-China direct flights marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing normalization of bilateral ties, moving beyond the shadows of past confrontations. While deeper strategic challenges remain, this positive gesture sets the tone for future collaboration and regional stability.