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Following a hiatus of five years, China and India have decided to reestablish direct commercial flights between their territories. This development marks a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

The two population giants, China and India, have decided to revive their direct commercial aviation services, signaling a potential softening of relations between the globe's most populous nations.

Journeying travelers glide past with their luggage trolleys in New Delhi's bustling Indira Gandhi...
Journeying travelers glide past with their luggage trolleys in New Delhi's bustling Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Following a hiatus of five years, China and India have decided to reestablish direct commercial flights between their territories. This development marks a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.

Flights between India and mainland China have been indefinitely halted since the outbreak of Covid-19 in early 2020, with political tensions prolonging the suspension. On Monday, the announcement was made that the two nations had consolidated an agreement "in principle" to restore direct air travel services, with officials set to finalize the details at a later date.

In addition, China has agreed to reopen Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in western Tibet to Indian pilgrims, revered sacred sites in multiple religions. This development was disclosed following a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

Background Information

Fighting broke out between soldiers from both countries at their disputed border, high in the Himalayas, in June 2020. At least 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers were killed in the violent clash.

Both nations maintain a vast military presence along their 2,100-mile frontier, the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which has never been clearly defined and remains a source of contention. The two countries have managed to diminish tensions through disengagement and border talks, including an agreement on military patrolling.

India and China have been working towards further easing relations since a rare meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the BRICS summit in Russia in October 2021.

Presently, there are direct passenger flights between several Indian cities and Hong Kong, but not mainland China.

Excited Tourists

News of the agreement to resume commercial flights to mainland China elicited a positive response from Chinese social media users. Some expressed their eagerness to visit India, afflicted by travel restrictions for five years.

Others expressed hopes to attend the Indian festival of Holi, which involves throwing colored powder and engaging in water fights. Prior to the pandemic, passengers were able to travel directly between Beijing and New Delhi in as little as 7 hours. Presently, travelers require layovers at destinations such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, which increase travel duration by an additional 6 to 10 hours.

Indian Students in China

An Indian PhD student in Shanghai, Anayat Ali, welcomed the news enthusiastically. Ali, along with other Indian students in China, felt frustrated by the long layovers and high ticket prices for traveling home.

With direct flights, he anticipates frequent visits to family, lower expenses, and reduced stress from layovers.

Although Chinese authorities and airlines had previously called for direct flights between India and China, New Delhi had resisted these calls until now. Some Weibo users expressed doubt about the possibility of traveling to India soon, as the agreement is considered "in principle."

The resumption of direct flights between India and mainland China could significantly reduce travel time and expenses for Indian students studying in China, such as Anayat Ali. This development was met with excitement on Chinese social media, with many users expressing their eagerness to visit India, which they have been unable to do for five years due to travel restrictions.

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