India and China to Resume Direct Flights After Five-Year Ban
MUMBAI, India (October 2023) - India and China will resume direct flights between the two countries on October 26, marking a significant step towards normalizing ties after a five-year ban.
According to the Indian foreign ministry, the resumption of flights will "further facilitate people-to-people contact" between the two nations. IndiGo, India's largest budget airline, has announced that it will operate direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou, a major city in southern China.
The decision comes as part of efforts by Delhi and Beijing to rebuild ties after tensions escalated along their shared Himalayan border in 2020. The border clashes resulted in the deaths of several soldiers on both sides, leading to a significant deterioration in relations between the two countries.
"We are pleased that direct flights will resume between India and China," said an Indian foreign ministry spokesperson. "This is an important step towards normalizing bilateral exchanges and strengthening people-to-people ties."
The resumption of direct flights is seen as a positive development by analysts, who note that it will facilitate trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.
"Direct flights are essential for boosting economic ties between India and China," said Rajiv Kumar, an economist at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. "It will also help to promote people-to-people exchanges, which are crucial for building trust and understanding between nations."
India and China share a 3,440-kilometer (2,100-mile) border that is disputed by both sides. The two countries have overlapping territorial claims, which has led to tensions in the past.
The resumption of direct flights is seen as part of efforts by Delhi and Beijing to de-escalate tensions along their shared border. In recent months, there have been reports of a significant reduction in military build-up along the border.
The Indian foreign ministry said that the resumption of flights will contribute towards "gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges." The move is seen as a positive step by analysts, who note that it will help to promote economic and cultural ties between the two countries.
IndiGo's decision to operate direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou marks a significant development in the aviation sector. The airline has been operating flights between India and China since 2019, but they were suspended due to the border clashes.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to boost trade and tourism between India and China. Analysts note that it will also help to promote cultural exchange and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
In a statement released on Thursday, IndiGo said that it was "pleased to announce" the resumption of direct flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou. The airline said that it would operate daily flights between the two cities starting October 26.
The decision by India and China to resume direct flights is seen as part of efforts by Delhi and Beijing to rebuild ties after a five-year ban. Analysts note that it will help to promote economic, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations.
*Reporting by Bbc.*
