China and India Resume Direct Flights, Strengthening Bilateral Relations

Beijing, Oct 9 (PTI) — China has hailed the upcoming resumption of direct flights with India as a positive development, highlighting that both nations are honoring the understandings reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. This announcement was made on Thursday at a media briefing, the first after the Chinese Foreign Ministry resumed its routine engagements following the eight-day national holiday.

Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the flights would be operational by the end of October. Previously, India had announced on October 2 that direct flights to China would recommence from October 26.

“This development underscores the commitment of China and India to adhere to the significant consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin on August 31,” Guo remarked in response to inquiries.

The meeting between Modi and Xi took place on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, where both leaders acknowledged the positive momentum and steady progress in bilateral relations since their last meeting in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024.

Guo emphasized China's readiness to collaborate with India by approaching bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, fostering friendship and supportive neighborly relations. He metaphorically described this collaboration as a "cooperative pas de deux (dance) of the dragon and the elephant," highlighting the shared responsibilities of both nations in fostering peace, prosperity, and broader benefits for their populations and for Asia as a whole.

Though Chinese airlines like Air China haven't formalized their plans, Indian carrier IndiGo and China Eastern are set to be the first to resume direct flights, according to insiders. IndiGo announced plans to operate daily flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26. "Subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo will also introduce direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou shortly," the airline stated.

Flight services between the two countries were initially suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and delayed further due to the border tensions in eastern Ladakh, which were resolved in October of the previous year.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation had declared that India and China would resume direct air services by month's end. "This move stems from ongoing technical-level engagements between civil aviation authorities as part of larger efforts to normalize bilateral ties," the ministry stated.

The resumption of flights is expected to significantly boost air connectivity, foster people-to-people exchanges, and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi, in talks with President Xi in Tianjin on August 31, had mentioned that the resumption of direct flights was under consideration. India-China relations saw a decline after the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020, marking the lowest point since the 1962 war. Through numerous diplomatic and military discussions, the two sides agreed to withdraw troops from several friction points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

In October last year, a disengagement pact was finalized for Depsang and Demchok, resolving the last of the friction points. Following this, Modi and Xi met in Kazan to initiate measures for improved relations.

In recent months, both nations have undertaken initiatives to mend ties, including resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

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