BREAKING NEWS: India and China are set to resume direct flights after a stunning five-year suspension, marking a pivotal moment in easing bilateral tensions. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has officially confirmed that flights will restart later this month, with India’s largest airline, IndiGo, announcing daily non-stop services between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting on October 26.
This development comes as a significant change, considering there have been no direct flights between the two nations since 2020, despite China being India’s largest trading partner. The announcement was made by India’s foreign ministry on Thursday, signaling renewed efforts to improve connectivity and trade relations.
In a statement released on Friday night, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport expressed its commitment to promoting additional direct routes, including potential flights between Guangzhou and Delhi. This statement is the first official comment from Chinese authorities regarding the resumption of flights.
Earlier this year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China for the first time in seven years, attending a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. During this visit, Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized their nations as development partners rather than rivals, underlining the importance of strengthening trade ties amidst global tariff uncertainties.
Modi also highlighted the urgent need to address India’s widening trade deficit with China, which currently stands at nearly $99.2 billion. His discussions included a call for maintaining peace and stability along their disputed border, where a clash in 2020 led to a prolonged military standoff.
The resumption of direct flights is a vital step for both countries, fostering not only economic growth but also people-to-people connections. As flights are set to commence in just a few weeks, travelers and businesses are eagerly awaiting what this new chapter will bring.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
