India and China set to resume direct flights after five-year freeze

Published August 12th, 2025 - 12:09 GMT
India and China resume direct flights
India: On 18th January, 2024. Air India's First A350-900 Aircraft Front view displayed at Wings India. Shutterstock
Highlights
The move signals a thaw in relations between the two Asian giants after years of strained ties.

ALBAWABA- India and China are preparing to restart direct passenger flights as early as next month, ending a suspension of more than five years. 

The move signals a thaw in relations between the two Asian giants after years of strained ties.

According to Bloomberg, the Indian government has asked carriers such as Air India and IndiGo to be ready to launch services to China at short notice, with a formal announcement expected during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in late August.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is currently in Beijing, where he is meeting Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi. Both sides have agreed to promote and facilitate people-to-people exchanges, particularly between media and think tanks.

The diplomatic push follows a visit by India’s foreign minister to Beijing and comes against the backdrop of rising U.S. tariffs and sanctions related to Russian oil, measures India has called unjust and vowed to resist in defense of its national interests.

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