Key Points
- Direct flights between India and China to resume after five-year suspension on October 26, 2025
- Ministry of External Affairs announced formal agreement following technical discussions between civil aviation authorities
- IndiGo to operate daily non-stop service from Kolkata to Guangzhou starting October 26
- Flight suspension began in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic and extended due to Galwan Valley tensions
- Move reflects broader diplomatic progress including troop disengagement from LAC disputed areas
- Delhi-Guangzhou direct flights also planned to commence soon
New Delhi: India and China have formally agreed to restore direct flight operations after a five-year hiatus, marking a pivotal development in bilateral relations that have been tense since the deadly Galwan Valley confrontation in 2020. The Ministry of External Affairs announced this breakthrough on Thursday, October 2, 2025, signaling a significant thaw in diplomatic ties between the two Asian giants.
Historic Aviation Agreement Restored
The civil aviation authorities of both nations conducted extensive technical consultations throughout 2025, culminating in amendments to the existing Air Services Agreement. This framework will govern the resumption of commercial air connectivity between the world’s two most populous countries. The original flight services were suspended in early 2020 following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, and attempts to restore them were further complicated by the violent border clash in Galwan Valley in June 2020 that resulted in casualties on both sides.
IndiGo Leads Commercial Aviation Return
IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, swiftly responded to the government announcement by confirming its operational plans. The airline will launch daily non-stop flights connecting Kolkata with Guangzhou beginning October 26, 2025, using its fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo aircraft. IndiGo’s statement emphasized that the decision aligns with recent diplomatic initiatives aimed at rebuilding trust and cooperation between the neighboring nations. The carrier has also indicated plans to introduce direct services between Delhi and Guangzhou, though specific dates for this route remain under finalization.
Diplomatic Breakthrough Following Border Tensions
The flight resumption represents the culmination of year-long diplomatic efforts to normalize relations strained by border disputes. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India in September 2025 proved instrumental, during which both sides committed to practical steps toward reconciliation. The announcement followed successful military disengagement in the contentious Depsang and Demchok sectors along the Line of Actual Control, completed by late 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in September 2025 further accelerated this diplomatic momentum. His meeting with President Xi Jinping focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, with both leaders expressing commitment to peaceful coexistence and mutual development. President Xi reciprocated by emphasizing China’s willingness to work constructively with India on shared interests.
Strategic Implications for Regional Connectivity
The restoration of direct air links holds significant economic and people-to-people implications. Prior to the suspension, air connectivity facilitated business travel, tourism, educational exchanges, and cultural interactions between the two countries. The Kolkata-Guangzhou route, in particular, connects eastern India with southern China’s major commercial hub, potentially boosting trade and investment flows. Aviation experts anticipate additional routes may be announced as market demand stabilizes and regulatory frameworks strengthen.
The normalized aviation relationship also reflects broader geopolitical calculations. Both nations recognize the necessity of stable bilateral ties for regional peace and economic prosperity in Asia. Multiple high-level diplomatic and military meetings throughout 2025 have addressed outstanding border issues, confidence-building measures, and frameworks for preventing future confrontations along the disputed frontier.
This development positions October 2025 as a landmark month in India-China relations, demonstrating that sustained dialogue and incremental trust-building can overcome even serious bilateral crises. The aviation sector’s revival serves as both a practical reconnection mechanism and a symbolic gesture of improved relations between the Asian neighbors.
