India and China Officially Restart Direct Flights After Over Five-Year Suspension
In a significant development for both the aviation industry and international diplomacy, the two largest nations in Asia, India and China, announced the resumption of direct passenger flights after a hiatus that lasted more than five years.
This move was formally confirmed during a key meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin.
The direct flights had been halted since 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and heightened diplomatic tensions stemming from border clashes.
Since then, travelers wishing to visit either country were forced to make stopovers in major transit hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore.
Modi stated that an agreement on border management has been reached between the two nations, though he did not provide specific details.
This step marks an important milestone in thawing diplomatic relations and boosting bilateral cooperation, with potential positive impacts on trade, tourism, and regional stability.
Additionally, there is hope that the improved ties may send a signal to Russia about the possibility of ceasing hostilities, considering both India and China’s participation in the SCO summit.
The meeting between Modi and Xi lasted nearly an hour and was the first visit by an Indian premier to China in seven years, emphasizing the importance of this diplomatic breakthrough.
Alongside the summit involvement, leaders discussed vital issues concerning regional security, economic collaboration, and geopolitical stability, leaving the door open for future dialogue and partnerships across Asia and beyond.