India and China Reach Agreement to Accelerate Resumption of Direct Flights
The Ministry of External Affairs of New Delhi stated in a release that both parties have agreed to expedite the steps for resuming direct flights, and to take practical measures to simplify visa procedures and promote exchanges between media and think tanks.
This announcement follows a meeting between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed that China holds a "positive attitude" toward the restoration of direct flights, believing it will benefit personnel exchange and cooperation, aligning with the common interests of both sides.
Earlier in January this year, New Delhi and Beijing announced a principled agreement to restart flight routes. Flight operations between the two countries were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent military clashes at the Himalayan border. Reports indicate that prior to the pandemic, there were approximately 500 direct flights between India and China each month. Currently, regular flights exist between India and Hong Kong.
AFP noted that India and China are fierce competitors vying for influence in the South Asian region. The border clash in 2020 resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian soldiers and 4 Chinese soldiers. Following that, India strengthened its ties with the U.S.-led Quad alliance, aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
New Delhi has imposed strict measures against Chinese enterprises, preventing them from investing in key economic sectors, and banned hundreds of Chinese games and mobile apps, including TikTok. However, mistrust still exists between India and China. In October of last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi met during the BRICS summit in Kazan, where they agreed to withdraw troops from confrontation points in the Ladakh region. In late April of this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia Kun confirmed that Indian pilgrims would resume travel to sacred sites in Tibet this summer, with preparations underway.
