India and China have reached an agreement to expedite the resumption of direct air services between the two countries, signaling a thaw in relations and a renewed focus on people-centric engagements. The agreement was reached during a meeting in New Delhi between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who was in India on a two-day visit on June 12-13, 2025.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) released a statement noting that both sides reviewed the current state of India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, 2025. Both Misri and Sun agreed to continue efforts to stabilize and rebuild ties, prioritizing cooperation and exchanges that directly benefit the people of both nations.

A key component of this renewed effort is the agreement to expedite the steps required to restart direct flights, which have been suspended since early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and border tensions. The Foreign Secretary also advocated for the early finalization of a revised Air Services Agreement to further facilitate air travel. Before the suspension, several airlines operated dozens of flights weekly, connecting major Indian and Chinese cities.

Beyond aviation, both sides agreed to take practical steps to ease visa processes and encourage exchanges between media organizations and think tanks. These measures aim to foster greater understanding and trust between the two countries.

In a gesture of goodwill, Foreign Secretary Misri expressed appreciation for China's support in the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year, a pilgrimage of significant religious importance to many Indians. The Yatra is resuming this month after a gap of five years. He also acknowledged discussions held in April 2025 under the Expert Level Mechanism on trans-border rivers, expressing hope for progress on sharing hydrological data and related cooperation.

As both nations approach the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, they positively assessed planned activities and pledged their support. They also agreed to hold targeted dialogues, particularly in the trade and economic sectors, to address specific concerns and promote mutual interests. India is also seeking predictability in the supply of rare earth metals from China.

The recent high-level interactions and agreements reflect a continued commitment to dialogue and cooperation between the two neighbors, aiming to resolve trade and economic issues and improve overall bilateral cooperation. The resumption of direct flights, along with other people-centric initiatives, is expected to contribute to a more stable and predictable relationship between India and China.