New Delhi: In a major sign of thawing ties, India and China will restart direct passenger flights from late October 2025—five years after they were suspended amid military tensions and the pandemic.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday confirmed that civil aviation authorities from both nations had reached an understanding following months of technical-level discussions.
“As part of the government’s step-by-step approach to normalising relations, the two sides have agreed to resume direct air services under a revised Air Services Agreement,” the MEA said.
Flights between the neighbours were first disrupted after the Doklam standoff in 2017 and completely frozen following the Galwan clashes of 2020. The Covid-19 outbreak further derailed connectivity.
Press Release: Resumption of direct air services between India and China
🔗 https://t.co/oArqge7F4G— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 2, 2025
Under the new plan, designated airports in both countries will be linked again from late October, coinciding with the winter aviation schedule. However, officials clarified that actual operations will depend on airlines’ commercial decisions and compliance with technical clearances.
Diplomatic sources said the move will not only ease travel but also boost people-to-people exchanges, seen as vital for the gradual restoration of bilateral trust.
The breakthrough follows Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s recent visit to New Delhi, during which both sides signalled intent to stabilise ties. Since late 2024, India and China have disengaged troops at sensitive friction points like Depsang and Demchok, while holding high-level military and diplomatic talks, Track-II dialogues, and relaxing some trade barriers.
The revival of direct flights is being viewed as another step in this careful but steady normalisation process.
