After nearly five years of halted connections due to escalating tensions, India and China announce the resumption of direct flights, marking a significant step towards repairing diplomatic relations.
Resurgence of Collaboration: India and China Set to Reopen Direct Flights After Years of Strained Relations
Resurgence of Collaboration: India and China Set to Reopen Direct Flights After Years of Strained Relations
The two nations make strides in mending ties, leading to the resumption of flights and improved access for journalists amidst historical tensions.
In a notable development signifying a thaw in long-standing tensions, India and China have officially agreed to resume direct flights between the two countries after a hiatus of nearly five years. This agreement comes in the wake of recent improvements in diplomatic relations, which had been severely impacted following deadly border skirmishes in the Himalayas in 2020.
On Monday, following talks in Beijing between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese officials, concrete steps were announced to restore air travel links. This agreement not only covers the resumption of flights, but also addresses the facilitation of pilgrimages to a revered Hindu shrine in Tibet, as well as improved access for journalists from both nations.
The diplomatic relationship between India and China, two major Asian powers, had reached a low point in recent years, especially after military confrontations in 2020 that resulted in casualties on both sides. This latest development marks a shift toward normalization, as seen during a meeting in Russia between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October. It was their first significant interaction in five years, which was preceded by a series of talks aimed at disengaging military forces along the contested border.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the necessity for both countries to "seize the opportunity" to overcome "mutual suspicion" and build lasting peace. Following Mr. Misri’s discussions, officials from India and China are set to finalize the technical aspects of resuming these critical flight routes, suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While air travel to Hong Kong has reopened, services to mainland China remained dormant until now due to underlying political tensions.
The successful revival of air travel could serve as a catalyst for further cooperation in multiple sectors between these two populous nations.
