India and China to Resume Direct Air Services After Five-Year Hiatus

India and China to Resume Direct Air Services After Five-Year Hiatus

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after a nearly five-year hiatus, marking a significant step towards thawing relations between the two Asian giants. The announcement came on Monday, January 27th, following a meeting between India's top diplomat and his Chinese counterpart in Beijing.

The decision to resume direct flights signals a positive development in the relationship between the two countries, which has been strained since a deadly military clash on their disputed Himalayan border in 2020. Following the clash, India implemented several measures to restrict Chinese investment and access to its market, including banning popular Chinese apps and severing passenger air routes.

However, relations have shown signs of improvement in recent months, with several high-level meetings taking place, including talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia last October. The resumption of direct air services is seen as a further indication of this warming trend.

The details of the agreement, including the specific airlines involved and the frequency of flights, will be negotiated in a meeting to be held soon. Both sides have expressed their commitment to working together to resolve outstanding issues and promote long-term stability and cooperation.

The resumption of direct air services is expected to benefit both countries, facilitating trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. It is also seen as a positive step towards building trust and improving communication between India and China.