India and China are set to restart direct flights between their countries by late October 2025, marking a big step toward easing travel restrictions. Officials from both nations’ civil aviation authorities have wrapped up talks on bringing back these air services and updating their Air Services Agreement.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs announced the news in a recent statement. As part of efforts to slowly rebuild ties, the two sides held technical discussions earlier this year. Now, they’ve agreed to allow airlines to connect key cities in India and China starting in the winter schedule. This depends on airlines’ business choices and meeting all safety and operational rules.
These direct flights will make it easier for people to visit each other—think tourists, business travelers, and families—helping warm up India-China relations overall.
The move builds on high-level meetings from August, when China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India. He met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and pushed to resume direct flights from mainland China to India as soon as possible. They also aimed to finalize a fresh Air Services Agreement and speed up visas for tourists, business folks, media, and other visitors from both sides.
Direct flights between India and China stopped years ago after the 2017 Doklam border standoff and the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
During his trip, Wang Yi teamed up with India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for the 24th round of talks on their border issues. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who stressed that steady and positive India-China relations would boost peace and growth in the region and beyond.
Just recently, PM Modi joined the SCO Summit hosted by China, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts.
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