India and China Resume Direct Flights After Five Years — A Milestone in Restoring Bilateral Relations

New Delhi / Beijing, October 26, 2025 — After a gap of more than five years, direct commercial flights between India and China officially resumed today, marking a significant milestone in efforts to rebuild connectivity and trust between the two Asian giants.

The inaugural IndiGo flight departed from Kolkata to Guangzhou early Sunday morning, symbolizing the first direct air link between the nations since early 2020, when services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resumption comes following months of diplomatic discussions aimed at improving bilateral engagement.

According to airline officials, additional routes are already planned, including New Delhi–Guangzhou in early November and Shanghai–Delhi later next month. Chinese carrier China Eastern is also expected to restart its operations connecting major Indian cities soon.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the move as a “positive and practical step to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and promote tourism and trade between the two countries.” The Indian government has also welcomed the development, emphasizing that the revival of direct connectivity will benefit business communities, students, and families on both sides.

Direct flights between India and China were suspended in early 2020 amid pandemic restrictions and later remained halted due to tensions following the Galwan Valley border clash in June 2020. The restoration of air services is now being viewed as a confidence-building measure and a sign that both countries are cautiously working to normalize ties.

Travel and business analysts say the resumption could boost bilateral trade, tourism, and education exchange. “It’s a small but important signal that both governments are looking beyond disputes and focusing on practical cooperation,” said one senior trade expert based in New Delhi.

While optimism surrounds the move, analysts caution that lingering border and political differences may continue to pose challenges. However, with rising economic interdependence and growing demand for travel, restoring air connectivity is seen as a step in the right direction toward a more stable relationship.

For passengers, the revival means shorter travel times, fewer layovers, and renewed access to major Chinese and Indian business hubs.

Today’s flight marks not just the restart of an air route—but the reopening of a vital bridge between two of Asia’s largest and most influential nations.