India–China Direct Flights Resume After Five Years: A Step Toward Renewed Engagement

After a long hiatus of over five years, India and China have resumed direct flights, signaling a cautious but meaningful thaw in bilateral relations. On October 26, 2025, IndiGo launched its first nonstop service from Kolkata to Guangzhou, marking the official restoration of commercial air connectivity between the two nations. The flight’s smooth takeoff and landing symbolized not only a return to the skies but also a potential rebuilding of trust disrupted by the pandemic and border tensions.

IndiGo resumed direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou after a five-year suspension.(REUTERS) | Mint

Why the Flights Stopped

The last direct flight between India and China operated in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic halted international travel. However, even after global restrictions eased, worsening diplomatic ties following the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020 kept the skies closed. What began as a public health measure became a reflection of political estrangement between Asia’s two largest economies.

A Symbol of Renewed Diplomacy

The return of direct air services comes at a time when both governments are signaling a willingness to stabilize relations. IndiGo’s daily Kolkata–Guangzhou route, followed by an upcoming Delhi–Guangzhou service from November 10, is expected to ease business and cultural exchanges. China Eastern Airlines will also resume its Shanghai–Delhi flights on November 9, reflecting coordinated efforts on both sides.

IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers described the move as “a significant step toward facilitating greater trade and people-to-people connectivity,” underscoring India’s role as a growing hub for regional cooperation.

Economic and Cultural Significance

For India, the revival of flights to China carries broader implications beyond tourism. The route connects two of Asia’s most dynamic trade centers — Kolkata and Guangzhou — both deeply tied to manufacturing and export industries. The resumption is expected to benefit business travelers, MSMEs, and students, while also reducing travel times for cargo and passengers that previously had to transit through third countries such as Singapore or Hong Kong.

Tourism and educational exchanges are also expected to rise. Thousands of Indian students studying in Chinese universities were affected by travel bans during the pandemic. The renewed air links are likely to reopen avenues for them while also promoting bilateral tourism.

Remaining Challenges

Despite the positive development, challenges persist. The Line of Actual Control remains a sensitive issue, and economic dependencies between the two countries continue to be asymmetrical. Analysts caution that the resumption of flights should be viewed as a pragmatic step toward normalcy rather than a full diplomatic reset.

Furthermore, operational factors such as visa regulations, freight costs, and passenger demand will determine how sustainable these routes are in the long term. Both governments will need to work toward making this reopening economically viable and geopolitically balanced.

The MGMM Outlook

After more than five years, direct air connectivity between India and China has finally resumed, beginning with IndiGo’s Kolkata–Guangzhou flight. The move signifies a cautious revival of relations between the two Asian giants, following a long period of distance caused by the pandemic and the Galwan Valley clashes. While the skies had remained closed due to political and security tensions, this reopening reflects a mutual understanding that engagement — not estrangement — serves both nations’ interests. The resumption is expected to boost trade, tourism, and educational exchange, especially benefiting students and businesses that rely on cross-border collaboration.

This step highlights India’s balanced approach to foreign policy — one that prioritizes national security while remaining open to practical cooperation. Reconnecting with China through commerce and travel shows India’s confidence in leading regional engagement on its own terms. Although challenges along the Line of Actual Control persist, the decision to restore direct flights sends a strong message that diplomacy can coexist with vigilance, and rebuilding trust begins with small but steady actions.

(Sources: Mint, India Today, News18)