After 5-Yr Freeze, Direct Flights Between India and China Resume From This Date

International News: India and China will restart direct flights from October 26, ending a five-year break after tensions following the Galwan clash. Airline IndiGo said it will resume its direct services on this date. The announcement by IndiGo came soon after India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that both countries had reached an agreement to restart flights. “Since earlier this year, as part of the government’s efforts to gradually normalise relations with China, the civil aviation authorities of both nations have held technical-level talks on resuming direct air services and revising the Air Services Agreement.”
Flights had been stopped after the Doklam standoff and were further delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

IndiGo to Restart India-China Routes

“Following recent diplomatic efforts, IndiGo will resume its flights to Mainland China, linking Kolkata to Guangzhou with daily non-stop services starting 26 October 2025,” the airline said. It also mentioned that direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou will be introduced soon. The flights will operate on IndiGo’s Airbus A320neo planes, helping boost trade, business ties, and tourism between the two countries.

Government Comments on the Agreement

The Ministry of External Affairs said that after talks, both sides agreed that direct flights connecting specific cities in India and China could restart by late October 2025, following the winter schedule. The resumption depends on decisions by the airlines and meeting operational requirements. The agreement is expected to increase people-to-people contact and support the gradual normalisation of relations between the two nations. The first statement about restarting flights came last month after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited New Delhi. This move reflects the gradual improvement in ties over the past year. It follows disengagement steps along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Depsang and Demchok in late 2024 and other confidence-building measures. These include diplomatic and military dialogues, Track-II discussions, and easing trade restrictions on certain goods. Restarting direct flights is another step towards restoring normal exchanges between India and China.