China, India to resume direct flights before end of October

Earlier on October 3, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated that the resumption of direct flights between India and China aligns with the growing trend towards normalisation in the relationship between the two nations.

Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "Yesterday we had issued a press release and thereafter I understand that commercial activity in this regard has started. This is, of course, in line with the growing trend towards normalisation in the relationship between India and China."

As part of this understanding, India and China are slated to resume direct flights by late October. The civil aviation authorities of the two countries have been engaged in discussions on resuming air services and finalising a revised Air Services Agreement.

The MEA, in a statement, said that it has been agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume later this month.

"Since earlier this year, as part of the Government's approach towards gradual normalisation of relations between India and China, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries have been engaged in technical-level discussions on resuming direct air services between the two countries and on a revised Air Services Agreement," the MEA said.

"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 the commercial decision of the designated carriers from the two countries and fulfilment of all operational criteria," it added.

According to the statement, this 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.

Direct flights between India and China had been suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. They were not resumed in view of the Doklam standoff.

This development follows commitments made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to India in August. During his bilateral talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, both sides had agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India at the earliest and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed on facilitating visas for tourists, businesses, media, and other visitors in both directions.

During his August visit, Wang Yi also co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives' dialogue on the Boundary Question with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.PM Modi underlined that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity. He later attended the SCO Summit hosted by China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, in their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Summit of the leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on August 31, noted the need to strengthen people-to-people ties through direct flights and visa facilitation. (ANI)