New Delhi, October 27 (Udaipur Kiran): In a major step towards normalising bilateral relations, India and China resumed direct flights on Sunday after a gap of five years, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic and people-to-people connectivity between the two Asian neighbours.
The first IndiGo non-stop flight from Kolkata to Guangzhou took off at 10 p.m., restoring direct air connectivity for the first time since 2020. Flights between the two countries had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the border tensions following the Galwan Valley clash.
An IndiGo spokesperson said the service will operate daily. Before departure, a brief ceremony was held at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata, where a Chinese passenger lit a ceremonial lamp, symbolising renewed friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The event was attended by NSCBI Airport Director Dr. P.R. Bouria, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and representatives of IndiGo Airlines.
Speaking on the occasion, China’s Deputy Consul General Qin Yong described the day as “a very important one” for India-China relations. “After five years of suspension, this is a major improvement in our bilateral ties. We had long awaited this, and it marks a crucial step forward,” he said.
Qin Yong credited the decision to the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in August, calling the resumption of flights “the first tangible outcome” of their dialogue. “China attaches great importance to its relations with India, and this move reflects the shared understanding reached by both leaders,” he added.
The restoration of direct flights is being viewed as a positive sign of easing tensions between New Delhi and Beijing at a time when India’s ties with the United States have faced new challenges.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
