• India and China resumed direct flights after a five-year suspension due to the pandemic and geopolitical tensions.
• The inaugural flight carried about 180 passengers from Kolkata to Guangzhou, marking a symbolic step in bilateral relations.
• Both nations aim to enhance "people-to-people contact" and further normalize diplomatic exchanges.

Direct flights between India and China have officially resumed after a five-year suspension, a decision hailed as a significant step in rebuilding relations between the two nations. The IndiGo flight 6E1703, carrying approximately 180 passengers, landed in Guangzhou just before 4 a.m. on Monday. This resumption comes after the flights were initially halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated tensions following a deadly border clash in 2020, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The Indian government emphasized that the resumption of flights would boost “people-to-people contact” and aid in the “gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.” In November, additional flights from New Delhi to Shanghai and Guangzhou are anticipated, further expanding connectivity. This positive shift follows a series of high-level meetings, including those between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which aimed at ameliorating diplomatic relations, according to SCMP, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The renewed air links are seen as beneficial for trade and tourism, with stakeholders expressing optimism. Rajeev Singh from the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata noted that “the direct air link will reduce logistics and transit time,” benefiting businesses in both countries. Moreover, the resumption of flights coincides with India restarting the issuance of visas for Chinese tourists, further indicating a thaw in bilateral relations, according to SCMP and BBC.

Despite the progress, challenges persist as India continues to navigate its strategic rivalry with China, particularly after the 2020 skirmish that heightened tensions. Observers caution that while there have been gestures of goodwill, including the exchange of sweets at the Hindu festival of Diwali, “managing an increasingly assertive China remains India’s long-term challenge,” as highlighted by analyses following Modi’s and Xi's recent meetings, according to Al Jazeera and SCMP.