India and China will resume direct passenger flights after more than five years, as both nations look to stabilise relations and expand trade amid global economic uncertainties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the move during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. While no date has been fixed, Modi said the decision marks a step forward in restoring connectivity. This is his first visit to China in seven years.
Direct flights were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic and never restored following the 2020 border clashes. Currently, travellers use Hong Kong, Singapore, and other hubs.
IndiGo and Air India have expressed readiness to restart operations, while Chinese carriers like Air China, China Southern and China Eastern are also expected to rejoin routes.