In a significant development, India and China have agreed in principle to resume direct flights between the two countries, marking the first such agreement in nearly five years. The flights, which were halted in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent political tensions, are set to restart following a visit to Beijing by Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The announcement comes as a welcome sign of a thaw in the frosty diplomatic relations between the world’s two most populous nations. Ties between India and China had reached a low point following a deadly border clash in the Himalayas in 2020, which led to a significant deterioration in economic and political cooperation.
Gradual Restoration of Ties
The agreement to resume flights is part of a broader effort by both sides to restore a degree of normalcy to their relationship. In addition to the flight resumption, China has also permitted the resumption of pilgrimages by Indian citizens to a popular Hindu shrine, which had been suspended along with the flights.
According to a statement from India’s foreign ministry, the two sides have committed to working harder on diplomacy to “restore mutual trust and confidence” and to resolve outstanding trade and economic issues. This comes on the heels of a rare formal meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last October, the first such high-level engagement in five years.
Economic Impact
The resumption of direct flights is expected to have a significant economic impact, given the strong trade ties between India and China. Prior to the pandemic, around 500 monthly direct flights operated between the two countries, ferrying businesspeople, tourists, and students. The restoration of this air link will likely provide a boost to industries such as tourism, education, and commerce.
The improvement and development of China-India relations is fully in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries.
– Chinese Foreign Ministry statement
Challenges Remain
Despite these positive developments, significant challenges remain in the India-China relationship. The two countries are intense rivals, competing for strategic influence across South Asia. The 2020 border clash, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian and 4 Chinese soldiers, underscored the fragility of the peace along their contested 3,500-kilometer frontier.
In the wake of that clash, India took a series of measures aimed at reducing its economic dependence on China, including banning hundreds of Chinese apps and restricting Chinese investment in critical sectors. Rebuilding trust and confidence will likely be a gradual process, requiring sustained diplomatic engagement at the highest levels.
Looking Ahead
The agreement to resume direct flights between India and China is a significant step forward in the complex relationship between these two Asian giants. While it is unlikely to resolve all the outstanding issues between them, it does signal a willingness on both sides to engage in constructive diplomacy and to seek mutually beneficial cooperation where possible.
As the world’s two most populous countries and two of its largest economies, stable and productive relations between India and China are vital not just for Asia, but for the global economy as a whole. The resumption of flights, while a small step in itself, could mark the beginning of a new, less contentious chapter in this critical bilateral relationship.
