New Delhi, October 27 (Daily Kiran) — In a major diplomatic signal of improving relations, India and China resumed direct flights on Sunday after a gap of five years, marking a significant step toward restoring normalcy in bilateral ties strained since the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes.
The milestone flight, operated by IndiGo Airlines, departed from Kolkata to Guangzhou at 10 PM, becoming the first non-stop service between the two countries since the suspension of air links due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions.
Daily Service Between Kolkata and Guangzhou
An IndiGo spokesperson confirmed that the flight will operate daily, reconnecting one of India’s key eastern hubs with southern China’s commercial centre. Before the flight’s departure, a short ceremony was held at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI), where a Chinese passenger lit a ceremonial lamp — symbolising renewed friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The event was attended by Dr. P.R. Bouria, Airport Director of NSCBI, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and representatives from IndiGo Airlines.
Symbol of Easing Tensions
Speaking at the event, Chinese Deputy Consul General Qin Yong called the occasion “a very important day for India-China relations.”
“After five years of suspension, this marks a major improvement in our bilateral ties. We had long awaited this moment, and it reflects the positive momentum in India-China relations,” he said.
Qin Yong attributed the resumption of flights to the understanding reached between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling it the “first tangible outcome” of their recent dialogue.
He added,
“The Chinese side places great importance on relations with India. In recent years, our leaders have reached a broad consensus, and today’s resumption of direct flights represents a key step in implementing that understanding.”
A Diplomatic Message Amid Global Shifts
The timing of the restored air link comes amid India’s growing friction with the United States over trade and strategic concerns, highlighting New Delhi’s efforts to recalibrate regional diplomacy. Observers see the move as an indicator of India and China’s willingness to mend ties after years of mistrust following the Galwan border confrontation in 2020.
The resumption follows Prime Minister Modi’s brief interaction with President Xi in August — the first significant engagement between the two leaders in years — during which both sides reportedly agreed to strengthen communication and revive suspended channels of cooperation.
With the return of direct air connectivity, analysts believe the move could pave the way for greater people-to-people exchanges, trade recovery, and confidence-building measures between the two Asian giants.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
