India and China have initiated discussions to resume direct passenger flights, which have been suspended since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions. Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam confirmed that one round of talks has taken place, though no specific timeline has been established for restarting services .
Prior to the suspension, the two countries operated over 50 direct flights weekly, connecting cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming with New Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata . The resumption of these flights is seen as a positive step towards improving bilateral relations, which have been strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash .
While both nations have agreed in principle to restore air connectivity, several operational details, including slot allocations and ground handling procedures, are still under negotiation . The Indian government has emphasized the importance of resolving these issues to ensure the smooth
This development follows a broader trend of diplomatic engagement between India and China, including agreements on border patrol arrangements and discussions on facilitating pilgrimages and journalist exchanges . However, challenges such as China’s construction of a hydropower dam in Tibet, which may affect water resources downstream in India and Bangladesh, continue to be points of contention .
