By Ata Ur Rahmen 
India and China Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Suspension
India and China resume direct flights after a five-year suspension, signaling a gradual thaw in the strained relations between the two Asian giants. The move, which came into effect on Sunday, marks a symbolic and practical step toward normalizing diplomatic and economic ties that had been severely disrupted by the 2020 border clashes and the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, the decision to reopen direct air routes will “boost people-to-people contact” and support the “gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.” The initiative also reflects a growing realization in both New Delhi and Beijing that stable connectivity is vital for trade, investment, and regional cooperation.
IndiGo Launches First Direct Flight Between Kolkata and Guangzhou
India’s largest private airline, IndiGo, became the first carrier to resume direct service between India and mainland China. The inaugural flight took off from Kolkata to Guangzhou on Sunday at 10:00 PM local time (1630 GMT).
Currently, only routes between India and Hong Kong are operational, but starting in November, additional services from New Delhi to Shanghai and Guangzhou will also commence. Aviation analysts see this as a positive signal that the two countries are ready to rebuild travel and trade connections step by step.
Rajeev Singh, President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, told AFP, “The direct air link will reduce logistics and transit time, helping both business communities reconnect and expand trade opportunities.”
Kolkata’s Historical Ties With China
The resumption of flights also holds emotional and cultural importance, especially for Kolkata, a city with deep historical ties to China. During the British colonial period, Chinese traders settled in Kolkata, forming what is now known as Chinatown in Tangra, an area renowned for its fusion cuisine and multicultural heritage.
Local community leader Chen Khoi Kui welcomed the news, saying, “It’s great news for us and for those who have relatives in China. The renewed air connectivity will boost tourism, trade, and family reunions.”
The revival of this route is expected to encourage cross-cultural exchange and rekindle the centuries-old friendship between the two trading communities that once flourished in the port city.
Economic Impact: Strengthening Trade Relations
The reopening of flights is not just a matter of convenience—it’s an economic necessity. As India and China resume direct flights, both countries hope to see stronger commercial engagement and increased trade volumes.
India continues to run a significant trade deficit with China, relying heavily on Chinese imports for electronics, raw materials, and industrial components. According to India’s Commerce Ministry, imports from China reached over $11 billion in September 2025, a 16% increase compared to September 2024.
Meanwhile, exports from India to China rose to $1.47 billion, up by 34% year-on-year. Analysts expect that direct flights will make it easier for exporters and importers to manage logistics, attend business meetings, and handle time-sensitive shipments.
The Indian Chamber of Commerce believes that improved air connectivity could also encourage Chinese companies to explore investment opportunities in India’s growing manufacturing sector, particularly under the government’s “Make in India” initiative.
Diplomatic Context: A Cautious Rebuilding of Ties
While India and China resume direct flights, it’s clear that relations between the two nations are still cautious and complex. Both countries remain strategic rivals in Asia, competing for regional influence across trade, technology, and security domains.
Tensions had escalated following the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, where at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers were killed. In the aftermath, India banned more than 200 Chinese apps, restricted investments, and deepened security cooperation with the U.S.-led Quad Alliance—which includes Japan and Australia—to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
However, recent diplomatic engagements have shown a slow but steady easing of tensions. High-level meetings between leaders of both countries—first in Russia in 2024 and later in China in August 2025—helped lay the groundwork for restoring economic cooperation.
Earlier this month, soldiers from both sides exchanged Diwali greetings and sweets along the Himalayan frontier—an act described by the Chinese Embassy in India as “a gesture of goodwill.”
A Strategic Balance Amid Strained U.S. Relations
The timing of this development is particularly significant. The decision that India and China resume direct flights comes as India’s relations with the United States experience strain. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent move to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods has impacted trade relations, while Washington has accused New Delhi of indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing discounted Russian oil.
The Indian government, however, continues to pursue a multi-aligned foreign policy, maintaining open dialogue with all major powers—including the U.S., Russia, and China—to protect its strategic autonomy.
According to The Indian Express, “Improving ties with Beijing sends an appropriate signal to Washington that India’s foreign policy remains independent.” Yet the paper also cautioned that “managing an increasingly assertive China remains India’s long-term challenge.”
People-to-People Contact and Cultural Diplomacy
The phrase “people-to-people contact” has featured prominently in India’s official statement, reflecting the soft power aspect of this initiative. The reopening of flights will allow students, entrepreneurs, and tourists to travel more easily, rekindling educational and cultural exchanges that had been halted for nearly five years.
Before 2020, more than 500 flights per month operated between India and China, carrying thousands of passengers weekly. The pandemic and border tensions disrupted this flow, severely impacting families, professionals, and traders who depended on regular travel.
Now, as India and China resume direct flights, embassies and universities are preparing to facilitate renewed academic partnerships and research collaborations, especially in technology and medicine.
Symbolism of Reconciliation
Beyond economics and politics, the restoration of air connectivity carries powerful symbolism. It represents a tentative gesture of reconciliation, showing that both nations recognize the need to coexist and cooperate despite deep-rooted differences.
Experts believe the move could help restore confidence between the two governments and create a platform for resolving disputes through dialogue. The fact that the flights resume just months after bilateral talks in Beijing indicates a willingness to take gradual, confidence-building steps.
While many challenges remain—including territorial disputes, trade imbalances, and security competition—diplomats view this development as an encouraging sign that engagement, rather than isolation, remains the preferred path forward.