What's happened
India plans to resume direct flights to China by late October 2025, ending a five-year suspension caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions. IndiGo will restart daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou on October 26, with potential expansions to Delhi-Guangzhou and Delhi-Shanghai routes. This move follows Indian Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to China and aims to normalize bilateral ties amid global trade uncertainties.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Re-engagement
The resumption of direct flights between India and China marks a significant step in thawing relations after a prolonged freeze caused by pandemic disruptions and a violent border clash in 2020. This move signals both countries' willingness to prioritize economic and diplomatic engagement despite unresolved territorial disputes.
Economic and Diplomatic Implications
- Trade Facilitation: Restoring air connectivity will ease business travel and people-to-people exchanges, potentially reducing India's $99.2 billion trade deficit with China.
- Geopolitical Balancing: Both nations emphasize their roles as development partners, seeking to avoid framing their relationship through the lens of rivalry or third-party influence, notably amid tensions with the United States.
- Soft Power and Stability: The flights' resumption complements other confidence-building measures, such as reopening border trade discussions and allowing Indian pilgrims into Tibet.
Forecast and Impact
This development will likely accelerate normalization of bilateral ties, fostering greater economic cooperation and regional stability. However, underlying border issues remain sensitive and could resurface. The move also reflects India's strategic autonomy, balancing relations between China and the US amid global tariff uncertainties.
Reader Relevance
For travelers, businesses, and investors, the restored flights offer renewed opportunities for engagement with China. The broader geopolitical shifts may influence trade policies and regional security dynamics affecting global markets.
What the papers say
Nathaniel Lacsina in Gulf News highlights the broader context of India opening doors to global innovators, contrasting India's welcoming visa policies with the US's restrictive approach, underscoring India's strategic outreach. The Japan Times and South China Morning Post provide detailed accounts of the flight resumption plans, quoting Indian officials and airlines like IndiGo, emphasizing the operational and diplomatic steps taken. Al Jazeera and The Independent focus on the geopolitical backdrop, noting the impact of the 2020 border clash and the recent Modi-Xi summit, where both leaders agreed on partnership over rivalry. Bloomberg and AP News confirm the official statements about the flights' resumption, stressing the conditional nature based on commercial decisions. Together, these sources paint a comprehensive picture of a cautious but deliberate rapprochement between India and China, driven by economic pragmatism and geopolitical recalibration.
How we got here
Direct flights between India and China were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and deteriorating relations after a deadly border clash. Since then, diplomatic efforts, including Modi's first China visit in seven years, have sought to restore ties. The resumption of flights is part of India's gradual normalization strategy with China amid ongoing trade and geopolitical challenges.
Go deeper
- What led to the suspension of India-China flights in 2020?
- How will the resumption of flights affect India-China trade relations?
- What role did Modi's recent China visit play in restoring flights?
Common question
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Why Are India and China Restarting Flights in 2025?
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What Are the Latest Diplomatic Developments in 2025?
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Why Are India and China Resuming Direct Flights Now?
India and China are set to restart direct flights after a five-year pause caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions. This move marks a significant step in improving bilateral relations and boosting trade and tourism between the two nations. Many are wondering what prompted this change and what it means for travelers and businesses alike. Below, we explore the reasons behind the resumption, its implications, and what to expect in the coming months.
More on these topics
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Narendra Damodardas Modi is an Indian politician serving as the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014. He was the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014, and is the Member of Parliament for Varanasi.
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IndiGo is an Indian low-cost airline headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, India. It is the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size, with a 47.5% domestic market share as of November 2019.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.