China and India plan to lift the flight ban that had cut off direct air links between the two countries earlier this year. According to a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commercial airlines should begin flying again this month, with official schedules expected by the end of October.
The thaw comes after a series of talks between the civil aviation authorities of Delhi and Beijing. Officials say a new Air Services Agreement has been negotiated, and the two sides have agreed that direct flights can resume once airline operators decide to launch routes and meet all technical requirements. The change is part of a broader push toward normalising ties that had been strained by the Doklam standoff and the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Speaking to reporters, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that “direct air services connecting designated points in India and China can resume later this month.” The announcement follows commitments made during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India in August. During that trip, Chinese and Indian ministers agreed to re‑establish direct flight connections and to update the Air Services Agreement. They also pledged to ease visa procedures for tourists, business people, and media.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the importance of stable, predictable relations during their August meeting. They highlighted that stronger people‑to‑people links, especially via direct flights, would support regional peace and prosperity.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to boost tourism, business travel and cultural exchange between the world’s two most populous nations. As the winter travel season approaches, airlines should roll out new routes soon, marking a significant step forward for India‑China relations.
Source: aninews
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