NEW DELHI: In the middle of Dussehra festivities, India Thursday announced resumption of direct air services with China from late October, marking another significant step in efforts to normalise the relationship that saw PM Narendra Modi visiting Tianjin last month for the SCO summit and also having a bilateral meeting with President Xi Jinping. This is the second major step taken by India to facilitate regular exchanges between the 2 countries, after the government resumed tourist visas for Chinese nationals. The government said in a statement that the agreement between the civil aviation authorities will further facilitate people-to-people contact between India and China, contributing towards the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges, and economic cooperation.Direct flights between the 2 countries remained suspended since early 2020, initially because of the pandemic and later because of heightened military and political tensions that lasted for well over 4 years. India’s efforts to normalise the relationship with China precede the outcome of the US elections last year but have acquired a greater sense of urgency because of its recent experience with the Trump administration. After allowing resumption of Kailash pilgrimage, Beijing had been pushing India to also restart direct air services. In Tianjin, the leaders had underscored the need to strengthen people-to-people ties through direct flights and visa facilitation, building on the resumption of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and tourist visa.

Both countries had agreed in principle to resume air services in January during foreign secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to China. Since then, said the MEA, as part of the government’s approach towards gradual normalization of relations, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries had been engaged in technical-level discussions on resuming direct air services between the 2 countries and on a revised Air Services Agreement.“Following these discussions, it has now been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume by late October 2025, in keeping with the winter season schedule, subject to commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries and fulfilment of all operational criteria,” said the ministry.Shortly after the MEA’s announcement, IndiGo said it will start a daily nonstop between Kolkata and Guangzhou from October 26. The airline will fly between Delhi and Guangzhou, the date for which will be announced shortly. Air India is likely to resume China flights with a nonstop between Delhi and Shanghai by the year end, say sources.The civil aviation ministry said on X direct flights between the two countries “follow continuous technical-level engagement between civil aviation authorities as part of broader efforts to normalise bilateral ties. The move will greatly enhance air connectivity, support people-to-people exchanges and contribute to the strengthening of economic collaboration between the two countries.”IndiGo said its “past experience and familiarity with local partners” enabled it to resume these flights swiftly. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said: “We are proud to be amongst the first to resume direct connectivity to China from two points in India. This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while also strengthening bilateral ties between the two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies… looking at introducing more direct flights into China.” The flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou will open for sale from Friday.