Direct flights between India and China have officially resumed, marking a significant step in the gradual thawing of relations between the two Asian giants.
On Monday, IndiGo flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata touched down in Guangzhou, southern China, carrying around 180 passengers—becoming the first direct commercial flight between the two nations since early 2020.
Flights were initially suspended at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained grounded after a deadly border clash in the Himalayas strained diplomatic relations. However, both countries have since taken deliberate steps toward reconciliation, including a landmark agreement on border patrol coordination reached last year.
In a statement earlier this month, the Indian government described the move as one that would “facilitate people-to-people contact” and help “the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”
The resumption is part of a broader trend of warming ties. In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, meeting with President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. This followed a visit to New Delhi by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who discussed issues of “de-escalation, delimitation, and boundary affairs” with Indian officials.
India also reinstated visa issuance for Chinese tourists in July, another move aimed at restoring normalcy.
Before the pandemic, the two countries operated nearly 2,600 scheduled flights annually, according to travel data provider OAG. The new route is expected to reconnect key business and tourism corridors, with China Eastern Airlines also announcing plans to begin a Shanghai–Delhi service from 9 November, flying three times a week.
At Kolkata airport on Sunday, IndiGo staff marked the milestone by lighting brass oil lamps before departure. Qin Yong, a senior Chinese consular official, described the day as “very important for the India-China relationship.”
Passengers 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 and strengthen trade ties.”
As more connections reopen, the resumption of direct flights signals not only improved connectivity but also a renewed effort by both nations to rebuild trust and cooperation after years of diplomatic frost.
Melissa Enoch
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