India and China have come to an agreement to restore direct air travel services after nearly five years, while also addressing trade and economic differences, New Delhi reported. This development comes as diplomatic relations continue to improve following a deadly border clash in 2020.
During a recent meeting in Beijing, India’s top diplomat Vikram Misri met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Following this discussion, India’s foreign ministry announced that both nations would work on negotiating a framework for the resumption of flights at an “early date.”
Addressing economic and trade concerns
China’s foreign ministry has also confirmed the resumption of flights, stating that Wang emphasized the need for both China and India to focus on “mutual support and mutual achievement” rather than fostering “suspicion” and “alienation.”
“Specific concerns in the economic and trade areas were discussed with a view to resolving these issues and promoting long-term policy transparency and predictability,” the Indian statement noted, although it refrained from providing further details.
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Resumption of services amidst thawing relations
Before the pandemic, approximately 500 monthly direct flights were operating between China and India, as reported by the Indian media outlet Moneycontrol. However, tensions escalated later in 2020 following a deadly military confrontation at a disputed border in the Himalayas. This led India to officially suspend passenger flights to mainland China, impose bans on numerous Chinese apps, and restrict Chinese investments in the country.
While services between India and Hong Kong eventually resumed as the public health crisis began to ease, flights to mainland China remained suspended. Recently, however, relations have begun to thaw, thanks in part to high-level meetings between the governments of both nations, which are founding members of the BRICS bloc.
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