In a significant step toward normalizing relations, India and China have agreed to restart direct passenger flights between designated cities by late October 2025, ending a suspension that began in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the development on Thursday, highlighting ongoing technical discussions between the civil aviation authorities of both nations.
The MEA stated that the resumption aligns with the winter season schedule and is subject to commercial decisions by airlines and fulfillment of operational requirements. “This agreement will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges,” the ministry noted in its press release. Direct flights had been halted amid the global health crisis and exacerbated by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which strained ties and forced travelers to rely on connecting flights through hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.
In response to the announcement, IndiGo, India’s largest airline, revealed plans to launch daily non-stop flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The airline also intends to introduce Delhi-Guangzhou services pending regulatory approvals, with bookings for the Kolkata route opening on October 3. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers described the move as a key part of the carrier’s global expansion, emphasizing its potential to enhance trade, tourism, and business partnerships.
Industry sources indicate that Air India may resume Delhi-Shanghai flights before the end of the year, further expanding connectivity. Prior to the suspension, around 500 monthly direct flights operated between the two countries, underscoring the anticipated economic boost.
The decision follows high-level diplomatic engagements, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China last month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he met President Xi Jinping. Earlier talks between Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in January and August paved the way for this agreement, signaling a thaw in relations after years of military standoffs along the Line of Actual Control.
Experts view the flight resumption as a positive indicator amid global trade uncertainties, including U.S. tariff threats, potentially aiding bilateral trade—China remains India’s largest partner despite the disruptions. However, challenges like visa normalizations and border stability persist as both nations work to rebuild trust.
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