The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that direct flights between selected points in India and China will restart by late October. The move follows the winter flight schedule.

“The resumption of flights depends on commercial decisions of the carriers and completion of operational requirements,” the MEA said. The ministry added that flights will “strengthen people-to-people contact and support the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”

Months of Negotiations

Officials from both countries held months of technical talks. They aimed to restore normal ties after years of tension. Moreover, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed stabilising relations at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.

Flights Suspended Since 2020

India-China flights stopped in early 2020 due to COVID-19. Limited repatriation flights ran later, but regular services stayed grounded. Tensions escalated after the Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, keeping flights suspended for years.

A Step Toward Connectivity

With flights resuming, travel between India and China will improve. Passengers and businesses will benefit, and bilateral exchanges will gain momentum. This step marks a small but significant move toward restoring normal relations.