India-China Flights Resume as Economic Cooperation Trumps Border Disputes

India and China are set to resume direct commercial air services between designated points in late October 2025, marking a significant step toward normalizing bilateral relations strained by the 2020 border clashes and the global pandemic. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the decision, stating that civil aviation authorities from both countries have finalized technical-level discussions on resuming flights and revising the Air Services Agreement. The move, contingent on commercial decisions by carriers and operational requirements, aligns with the winter season schedule and aims to enhance people-to-people contact while supporting economic collaborationtitle1^[1].

Direct flights between the two nations were suspended in early 2020 amid the pandemic and subsequent border tensions, forcing travelers to rely on indirect routes via hubs like Singapore or China Hong Kong. The 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which resulted in 20 Indian and four Chinese soldier deaths, froze high-level diplomatic engagements. However, recent efforts to de-escalate border tensions-such as agreed patrolling arrangements and high-level dialogues-have paved the way for renewed connectivitytitle7^[7]. India's foreign minister, Wang Yi, visited New Delhi earlier this year, emphasizing the need to view the two countries as "partners, not rivals"title7^[7].

India's largest airline, IndiGo, will lead the resumption of direct services. The carrier announced daily, non-stop flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, 2025, using Airbus A320neo aircraft. Tickets for this route went on sale on October 3, 2025. IndiGo also plans to launch Delhi-Guangzhou flights pending regulatory approvals. The airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, highlighted the move as a strategic step to strengthen India's global aviation footprint and facilitate cross-border trade and tourismtitle9^[9]. Air India is reportedly preparing to reintroduce services to Shanghai using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, though no launch dates have been confirmedtitle11^[11].

The resumption of flights is expected to benefit businesses, students, and families, who previously faced logistical challenges due to indirect routing. Before the pandemic, over 8.1 lakh passengers traveled between India and China in FY2019, with annual cargo flows exceeding 30,000 tonnes. Analysts note that the move could ease supply chain pressures for small and medium-sized enterprises and boost inbound tourism, particularly after India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals in July 2025title4^[4].

Diplomatic warming between the two nations has been driven by shared concerns over U.S. trade policies. U.S. President Donald Trump's 50% tariff on Indian imports and calls for 100% tariffs on China have incentivized closer economic ties. During the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in August 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their commitment to normalizing relations, framing India and China as "development partners"title3^[3]. The MEA emphasized that the resumption of flights is part of a broader strategy to "gradually normalize bilateral exchanges"title12^[12].

The decision reflects a pragmatic approach to balancing regional and global economic priorities. While border tensions remain unresolved, the easing of travel restrictions signals a shift toward prioritizing economic interdependence. As both nations navigate global trade uncertainties, the revival of direct air services underscores the potential for deeper cooperation in sectors like technology, infrastructure, and cultural exchangetitle11^[11].