The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release that the agreement allows direct air services connecting designated points in India and China to restart later this month, in line with the winter schedule. Operations will be subject to commercial decisions by the designated carriers and the fulfilment of all operational requirements
Indian PM Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a meeting earlier this year. File pic
India and China are set to resume direct flights by late October, following technical-level discussions between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries on restoring air connectivity and updating the Air Services Agreement, news agency ANI reported.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release that the agreement allows direct air services connecting designated points in India and China to restart later this month, in line with the winter schedule. Operations will be subject to commercial decisions by the designated carriers and the fulfilment of all operational requirements.
“Since earlier this year, as part of the Government’s approach towards gradual normalisation of relations between India and China, the civil aviation authorities of the two countries have been engaged in discussions on resuming direct air services and finalising a revised Air Services Agreement,” the MEA release stated.
The resumption of flights is expected to facilitate people-to-people contact, strengthen business ties, and facilitate the gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges between the two neighbours. It will particularly benefit students, tourists, and professionals travelling between the two countries. For several years, travellers had to commute via indirect routes or extended travel times between both the countries.
Flights between India and China had been suspended following the 2017 Doklam standoff and were further affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which restricted international travel. The ties between the two countries further worsened after the Galwan standoff in May-June 2020. The current agreement signals a thaw in ties and renewed efforts to normalise relations after a prolonged period of disruption.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited India in August and held talks with his Indian counterpart, S Jaishankar. Both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity at the earliest and finalise an updated Air Services Agreement during the meeting. They also discussed facilitation of visas for tourists, business travellers, media personnel, and other visitors in both directions.
The Chinese Foreign Minister also co-chaired the 24th round of the Special Representatives’ dialogue on the Boundary Question with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Indian visit.
PM Modi emphasised that stable, predictable, and constructive ties between India and China will contribute significantly to regional and global peace and prosperity. He also highlighted the importance of strong people-to-people and economic exchanges for long-term bilateral stability.
(With ANI inputs)
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