China and India have agreed to reinstate direct commercial flights for the first time since 2020, marking a step toward improving diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The decision, announced Monday, follows a visit to Beijing by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and signals progress in efforts to ease tensions.
Flights between the two countries were halted at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and remained suspended due to subsequent political frictions.
The Indian foreign ministry confirmed that discussions between officials resulted in an agreement “in principle to resume direct air services between the two countries.” The Indian foreign ministry statement added that “Relevant technical authorities on the two sides will meet and negotiate an updated framework for this purpose at an early date.”
“Specific concerns in the economic and trade areas were discussed with a view to resolving these issues and promoting long-term policy transparency and predictability,” the ministry added.
China’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed the development, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and further cooperation. He informed Misri that China would reopen Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet to Indian pilgrims this year. These sites hold religious significance for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and the Bon faith and are popular pilgrimage destinations.
The move comes amid ongoing discussions to ease border tensions, with both nations maintaining a heavy military presence along the 2,100-mile (3,379-kilometer) de facto border, known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The deadly 2020 Himalayan clash triggered a series of diplomatic efforts, including border disengagement talks and military patrolling agreements. A meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit last October also contributed to the renewed push for better relations.
Currently, travelers between India and mainland China must transit through hubs such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur, significantly extending travel time. Before the suspension, flights between Beijing and New Delhi took about seven hours, but alternative routes now add between six and ten hours to the journey.
The news of resumed flights has sparked reactions on Chinese social media. One user on Weibo shared that they had purchased a ticket to India in February 2020 but were unable to travel due to cancellations. “The wait lasted for five years… Must go to India,” he wrote. Another user expressed hope of traveling in time for the Holi festival in March.
Indian PhD student Anayat Ali, currently in Shanghai, welcomed the news. “With direct flights, I can visit family more frequently, reduce expenses and avoid the stress of layovers,” he told CNN.
While direct flights remain subject to further negotiations, the agreement marks a positive shift in China-India relations, reflecting a mutual effort to restore connectivity and improve bilateral ties.