India and China to Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Hiatus
India and China will resume direct flights on October 26 for the first time since services were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions. The move is seen as a significant step towards normalizing bilateral relations. Indian airline IndiGo will operate the first flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou. The decision follows technical discussions between aviation authorities and a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, aiming to facilitate people-to-people contact and trade.
Unpacked:
Direct flights were suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating border tensions, including deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley. Diplomatic and logistical concerns made resumption impossible until relations began to improve in late 2025.
The breakthrough occurred after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Delhi and a high-level meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Xi Jinping. Agreements included resuming flights, simplifying visas, and reopening border trade, signaling a cautious restoration of trust.
Restoring direct flights will reduce travel times and costs for over a million annual travelers, benefiting students, businesses, and families. It is expected to stimulate economic growth and improve diplomatic ties by enhancing connectivity and facilitating smoother trade and cultural exchanges.
Flights will initially resume between designated cities, starting with Kolkata (India) and Guangzhou (China). Expansion to other routes depends on commercial carrier decisions and further agreements between authorities.