Direct commercial flights between India and China resumed on Sunday after a five-year hiatus enforced by the Covid-19 pandemic and heightened border tensions. The first revived service departed Kolkata at 21:53 local time, operated by IndiGo Airlines to Guangzhou in southern China.

IndiGo stated that regular operations on the Delhi–Guangzhou route will begin on Monday. A Chinese airline plans to restart direct flights between Shanghai and Delhi the following day, restoring key travel corridors suspended since 2020.

The interruption followed India–China military clashes in eastern Ladakh, which soured diplomatic ties and forced passengers to rely on indirect routes via Hong Kong, Singapore, or Gulf hubs. The restart signals an initial confidence-building step between the two Asian powers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision to resume flights during a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The encounter represented Modi's first visit to China in seven years.

Analysts note that the resumption underscores mutual economic interests as both nations navigate the impact of US trade tariffs under President Donald Trump. Despite persistent mistrust over border issues, the restored connectivity is viewed as a modest gesture toward stabilising relations.

Further expansion of services will depend on political will and sustained diplomatic engagement. Aviation industry observers believe improving schedules could support business links, education travel, and people-to-people ties despite ongoing strategic competition.

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