🌏 Direct Flights Between India and China Take Off Again

After more than five years, direct flights between India and China have officially resumed — a major step reflecting improving diplomatic ties between the two Asian giants.

On Monday, IndiGo flight 6E 1703 departed from Kolkata and landed in Guangzhou, carrying around 180 passengers. This marks the first commercial flight between the two countries since early 2020, when services were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising border tensions in the Himalayas.

🤝 Renewed Cooperation and Diplomatic Progress

The flight resumption comes after a series of positive diplomatic developments.
In 2024, both countries agreed to restore border patrol coordination, easing military tensions. Then, in July 2025, India reopened visa services for Chinese tourists, further signaling a willingness to rebuild trust.

The turning point came in August 2025, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to China in seven years and met President Xi Jinping during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. This meeting paved the way for stronger bilateral engagement and economic cooperation.

✨ A Symbol of Hope and Connection

At Kolkata Airport, airline staff celebrated the moment by lighting traditional brass oil lamps, symbolizing a new beginning in India–China relations. Passengers expressed excitement, noting that the direct route will reduce travel time, enhance trade, and boost tourism and cultural exchange.

🛫 More Routes to Launch Soon

Expanding the travel network, China Eastern Airlines has announced a new Shanghai–Delhi route, scheduled to begin on November 9, 2025, with three weekly flights.

The move is expected to strengthen business partnerships, facilitate student travel, and increase tourism between the two nations.