India and China are preparing to resume direct flights between the two countries after more than five years, marking a step toward rebuilding bilateral relations amid growing global trade uncertainty.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the plan during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin. However, no official date has yet been set for the resumption of flights.
This marks Modi’s first official visit to China in seven years and comes at a time when diplomatic ties between the two Asian powers are experiencing a notable revival, following a period of tension heightened by U.S. tariffs that added economic uncertainty for the world’s two most populous nations.
Facilitating Trade and Investment
Earlier this month, India and China agreed to facilitate bilateral trade and investment following talks between their foreign ministers in New Delhi.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently met with Modi, who praised the “steady progress” in relations, describing it as based on mutual respect for each other’s interests.
These meetings follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose 50% punitive tariffs on Indian goods due to continued oil purchases from Russia. Meanwhile, China and the U.S. maintained a trade truce, and Trump extended the suspension of higher tariffs on Chinese goods by another 90 days.
Airlines and Flight Resumption
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, expressed readiness to operate direct flights to China once licensing procedures are completed, while Air India is also expected to resume services.
Direct flights between India and China were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, and diplomatic relations had reached their lowest point in 2020 following border clashes.
Currently, travelers between the two neighboring countries rely on major hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Prior to the suspension, airlines including Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern offered direct services between major cities in both countries.
In July, India reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens after years of restrictions. Earlier, India and China had agreed in January to resume direct flights, with the plan renewed in June, though progress has been slow.
