New stage of the approach between India and China: direct air flights between the two countries will resume “as soon as possible”

China and India have agreed to a “as soon as possible” resumption of direct commercial flights suspended between the two countries for five years, Chinese state media said on Wednesday. The two parties “also agreed to facilitate the issuance of visas to tourists, companies, media and other visitors in both directions,” according to the Chinese Nouvelle agency. A new heating signal continued during the visit to the Indian of the Chinese Chief Wang Yi diplomacy on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Direct flights between the two countries have been suspended due to covid and bilateral tensions. Their relationships have deteriorated significantly after the violent confrontation that opposed their soldiers in 2020 on its 3,500 kilometers border in the Himalayas, played in certain parts and at the origin of regular incidents. In October 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chinese number one Xi Jinping for the first time in five years at a summit in Russia.

Narendra Modi will go to China at the end of August for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (OCS). It will be the first visit to China of the Indian government in China since 2018.

Almost 500 monthly flights before COVVI

Beijing and New Delhi, in the face of customs duties imposed by the president of the United States, Donald Trump, have been working to tighten the ties. During the interviews of Wang Yi with Indian officials, “the two parties agreed to restore the direct air connection between Continental and India China as soon as possible, and finish an updated air service agreement,” said China Nouvelle. They agreed to “jointly maintain peace and tranquility in border areas through friendly consultations,” the agency said.

They intend to “explore the possibility of advancing in the border demarcation negotiations” and agreed to “facilitate trade and investment through concrete measures,” he added, without specifying these measures. They also agreed to reopen three cross transmission markets. Almost 500 flights connected the two countries directly before the Covid crisis, according to the Indian media.