Following a 5-year ban from a border troop clash, announcements are made that India and China are resuming direct flights between the two countries as they develop more normalised ties after the deadly border clash 5 years ago.
India: Resumed Flights for “People-to-people Contact”
On Thursday, Oct.2, 2025, India-based budget airline IndiGo announced that they are resuming flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, starting Oct. 26. This announcement is followed by a statement from the Indian foreign ministry, which hopes the resumption of direct flights could be the next step to normalise bilateral communication again, after the fatal border clash in 2020.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo’s CEO, speaks highly of this new flight route:
“We are delighted to announce the resumption of daily, non-stop flights between India and mainland China. We are proud to be amongst the first to resume direct connectivity to China from two points in India. This will once again allow seamless movement of people, goods, and ideas, while also strengthening bilateral ties between the two of the world’s most populous countries and fast-growing economies. With this very important step, we are looking at introducing more direct flights into China. As we take steady strides towards becoming a global aviation player, this is a significant move to strengthen our international network.”
This new route is a key addition to IndiGo’s new flight routes announced this year.
China and India: Steps to Normalise Bilateral Interactions Again
Back in May 2020, a serious military clash broke out along the borders of China and India, near the Galwan river valley, resulting in 24 deaths of Indian and Chinese border soldiers. Since the incident, the diplomatic ties between the countries broke off, and it was not until this year that forces in Beijing and Delhi decided to break the ice and reconnect.
The resumption of direct flights between the two countries serves as a statement that witnesses the improving relationship between the two countries after 5 years.
What do you think about China and India resuming direct flights after this 5-year ban? What changes will this bring about? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
