India and China will restart direct passenger flights this month, marking a significant step toward repairing relations that have been strained since deadly border clashes in 2020. India’s foreign ministry announced that the resumption would help restore “people-to-people contact” and support the “gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”
The first route will be operated by IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, which will launch direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou on 26 October. This will be the first commercial service between the two countries since air links were cut following the Galwan Valley clash that left 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers dead, the first fatal confrontation in decades along their disputed Himalayan frontier.
Since then, both governments have engaged in multiple rounds of talks to ease tensions. Agreements on border patrolling, visa services, and cross-border trade discussions have signaled a cautious effort to rebuild trust. Beijing has also permitted Indian pilgrims to travel to religious sites in Tibet, while New Delhi has reopened visa services for Chinese tourists.
Diplomatic engagement has intensified over the past year. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Delhi in August, stressing that the two nations should act as “partners, not adversaries.” That same month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he met President Xi Jinping to reaffirm commitments to normalize ties.
Analysts say the resumption of flights reflects not only progress in bilateral relations but also shifting geopolitical dynamics. With India’s relationship with Washington under strain due to new U.S. tariffs, New Delhi and Beijing have found fresh incentive to ease hostilities and strengthen regional cooperation.
