India and China will restart direct flights between the countries this month, marking a significant step toward normalizing ties, as announced by India's foreign ministry.
These connections had been discontinued since 2020, following deadly troop clashes along their shared Himalayan border. However, over the past year, both nations have been working to improve relations, including efforts to de-escalate tensions at the border.
Starting from October 26, India's largest budget airline, IndiGo, will resume direct flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou.
The Indian foreign ministry noted that the resumption of flights would enhance people-to-people contact and contribute to the gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.
India and China share a lengthy and disputed border of over 3,440 kilometers (2,100 miles) with overlapping territorial claims. The conflict reached a peak in 2020 at the Galwan river valley, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese soldiers, leading to a freeze in relations.
In recent months, Beijing and Delhi have actively sought to restore the frayed relationship. High-ranking officials from both countries have engaged in multiple discussions to address grievances.
Last October, the two nations agreed on patrolling arrangements to de-escalate tensions along the contested Himalayan border. This year, China allowed Indian pilgrims to visit selected religious sites in Tibet, while India reinstated visa services for Chinese tourists and commenced discussions to facilitate border trade.
The changing dynamics of global politics, particularly India's deteriorating relationship with the US, have also driven a renewed interest in collaborative efforts between India and China. In August, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Delhi, emphasizing the need for both countries to regard each other as partners rather than adversaries. Additionally, during the same month, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong criticized the US for imposing tariffs that adversely affected India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in August marked his first visit to China in seven years, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to affirm their commitment to normalizing ties.
