India and China have reached an agreement in principle to resume direct flights between the two countries, marking a significant step toward mending relations strained by the COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions.
This announcement came on Monday following the visit of India’s Foreign Ministry Secretary, Vikram Misri, to Beijing, a trip that signals a thaw in the frosty ties between the world's two most populous nations.
The visit is one of the most senior diplomatic engagements since the deadly 2020 Himalayan border clash that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops, exacerbating tensions between the neighbors. The conflict led to a suspension of direct flights, the banning of Chinese apps in India, and restrictions on Chinese investments.
A statement from India’s Foreign Ministry revealed that Misri’s visit culminated in an agreement to resume direct air services, with both countries’ technical authorities tasked to negotiate an updated framework promptly. Before the suspension in 2020, around 500 flights operated monthly between India and China.
In addition to the resumption of flights, China agreed to reopen a pilgrimage route for Indian devotees traveling to the Hindu shrine of Lord Krishna, which had also been halted at the start of the decade.
India emphasized the need for stronger diplomatic efforts to restore mutual trust and confidence and to address unresolved trade and economic disputes.
China’s Foreign Ministry echoed this sentiment, stating that improving bilateral relations aligns with the fundamental interests of both nations.
However, the Chinese statement notably did not mention the flight agreement, focusing instead on the broader goal of improving ties.
The resumption of flights follows a series of diplomatic engagements, including a significant military disengagement agreement at a contentious border flashpoint last October and a rare meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Misri’s Beijing visit also comes in the wake of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s diplomatic outreach, further highlighting India’s intent to stabilize relations.
The recent developments indicate cautious optimism for improved cooperation between India and China, whose rivalry extends beyond their shared 3,500-kilometer border to their competition for strategic influence across South Asia.
As both nations work to rebuild diplomatic bridges, the resumption of flights is seen as a practical step toward fostering people-to-people connections and bolstering economic ties.
[AFP]