After nearly five years, direct flights between India and China have officially resumed, signaling a new chapter in improving relations between the two most populous nations.
A Long-Awaited Restart in Air Travel
On Sunday night, IndiGo flight 6E 1703 took off from Kolkata at 10 p.m. and landed in Guangzhou, China, about three and a half hours later. This marks the first commercial flight between the two countries since early 2020, when air travel was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suspension had lasted far beyond pandemic restrictions because of escalating tensions following a deadly border clash in the Himalayas that severely strained diplomatic ties. However, both governments have recently been working to rebuild trust and cooperation. Last year, they reached a key agreement on troop disengagement along the disputed border and resumed high-level diplomatic dialogues for the first time in half a decade.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India, Yu Jing, confirmed the resumption of flights on social media, stating, “Direct flights between China and India are now a reality.” China Eastern Airlines is also expected to restart its Shanghai–Delhi service on November 9, while IndiGo will launch a new Delhi–Guangzhou route the following day.
Boosting Trade and People-to-People Connections
The Indian government described the move as an important step toward “facilitating people-to-people contact” and restoring normal exchanges between the two nations.
According to Pravat Ranjan Beuria, director of Kolkata Airport, the inaugural IndiGo flight carried 176 passengers. Business traveler Krishna Goyal, who was on board, expressed excitement at the renewed link. “Earlier, we had to change two or three flights through places like Singapore. This direct route makes travel much easier,” he said.
The Kolkata–Guangzhou connection is expected to benefit trade significantly, linking India’s bustling textile and jute industries with southern China’s large manufacturing and wholesale markets. As the two Asian powerhouses face global economic uncertainties and rising protectionism, direct air connectivity could boost regional trade and collaboration.
Renewed Diplomatic Momentum Between Two Giants
The flight resumption also coincides with renewed diplomatic momentum. In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, followed by a reciprocal visit to India by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During his trip, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to improving bilateral relations “on the basis of mutual trust and respect,” noting progress in de-escalating border tensions.
Both nations continue to navigate complex international relationships. They face scrutiny from Western powers for maintaining trade ties with Russia amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Earlier this month, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed India had agreed to stop importing Russian oil—an assertion the Indian foreign ministry later denied. Despite such challenges, both sides appear eager to maintain stability in Asia through strengthened cooperation.
The resumption of flights after years of disruption highlights a thaw in relations and a shared interest in rebuilding economic and cultural bridges. For travelers and businesses alike, it’s a welcome sign of progress and renewed connection between two regional giants.
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