New Delhi |Oct 03, 2025 | www.externalaffairs.in
In a significant step towards stabilising their strained relationship, India and China have agreed to resume direct air services by late October 2025. The move, finalised after months of technical-level discussions between civil aviation authorities of both countries, comes under a revised Air Services Agreement and will coincide with the upcoming winter season schedule.
The resumption will depend on the commercial decisions of designated carriers from the two nations and the fulfilment of all operational criteria. This development marks a practical stride toward restoring people-to-people exchanges and enhancing connectivity after years of diplomatic tensions.
Geopolitical Backdrop
India-China relations have been under considerable strain since the border clashes in Galwan Valley in 2020, which led to a deep freeze in high-level political engagement and economic cooperation. Despite multiple rounds of military commander-level talks, border disengagement remains partial, and trust deficit persists.
Additionally, India has been wary of China’s expansionist policies in the Indo-Pacific, its close ties with Pakistan, and growing influence through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). On the other hand, Beijing has criticized New Delhi’s deepening security partnership with the United States, Quad members, and initiatives like I2U2, interpreting them as efforts to counter Chinese influence in Asia.
The suspension of direct flights between India and China since the COVID-19 pandemic further aggravated the gap, restricting business exchanges, academic cooperation, and tourism.
Signals of Pragmatic Engagement
In recent months, however, both sides have shown tentative willingness to compartmentalise differences. India participated in BRICS+ engagements hosted by China, while Beijing softened its stance on India’s G20 presidency in 2023. Trade between the two countries has remained robust, even with India’s measures to restrict Chinese tech and investment in sensitive sectors.
The agreement to resume direct flights is thus seen as a confidence-building measure. Officials highlight that increased mobility will not only benefit students, professionals, and business communities but also allow cultural exchanges to slowly recover.
Balancing Normalization and Strategic Concerns
Experts caution that while the move is encouraging, it should not be mistaken for a full reset. “This is a step towards pragmatic normalization, not reconciliation,” says a South Asia foreign policy analyst. “Both nations are still at odds on border disputes and strategic alignment. But connectivity measures like this can help prevent the relationship from sliding into a deeper freeze.”
The Indian government has emphasized that normalization of ties cannot advance fully without peace at the borders, echoing External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s repeated stance. For now, the reopening of air corridors represents an incremental shift – a small but meaningful gesture towards stabilizing one of Asia’s most consequential bilateral relationships.
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