Direct flights between India and China are set to resume soon, marking a significant step in rebuilding ties between the two nations after a hiatus of over five years. This development follows a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin on Sunday.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that a consensus has been reached regarding the resumption of direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India. While details on the exact timeline for the resumption of flights are yet to be provided, the announcement signals a positive momentum in bilateral relations.

The decision to resume direct flights underscores the need to strengthen people-to-people ties and facilitate visa processes. This move builds upon the recent resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra and tourist visas, further indicating a thaw in relations. Direct flights were suspended after the Doklam crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, both leaders acknowledged the importance of expanding common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues, including counter-terrorism and fair trade. Modi and Xi also recognized the role of their economies in stabilizing world trade, emphasizing the need to expand bilateral trade and investment ties while reducing the trade deficit.

According to MEA, both sides have agreed to expedite the steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries, and towards the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. They also agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and promote exchanges between media and think tanks and also positively assessed the activities planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China, and agreed to facilitate the same.

The resumption of direct flights is expected to boost tourism and strengthen local economies along the route. In addition to direct flights, India and China are also looking to enhance cooperation by sharing data on transnational rivers.

The decision to resume direct flights is part of a series of steps aimed at stabilising ties, resuming suspended engagements, and boosting economic cooperation. Both nations aim to enhance cooperation and address mutual concerns while facilitating trade and investment flows to stabilize ties. India will fully support China's work as the rotating chair of the SCO and ensure the summit's complete success.

PM Modi noted that both India and China are ancient civilisations with a long history of friendly exchanges. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries in Kazan last October marked a turning point in the improvement and development of bilateral relations. Modi also invited Xi to the 2026 BRICS Summit in India.

Both sides pledged to restart suspended bilateral dialogues, including the High-level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges in 2026. India and China will hold commemorative events throughout 2025 to mark 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. India's Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will be expanded in scale from 2026.