On Thursday, China confirmed that in “narrow communication” with India, the continuation of direct flights between the two countries and signaled the possible end of the five -year suspension of air connection.
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian, who responded to questions about recent media reports, said both parties have been working for some time to “make it easier to restore” flights. The announcement comes in the middle of speculation that the official confirmation could coincide with the summit organization for cooperation in Shanghai (SCO) in Tianjin from 31 to August 1 to September.
Why were India years – China suspended?
Until the beginning of 2020, state carriers, such as China Eastern Airlines and Air China, operated everyday routes to several Indian cities, including new Delhi. The services were stopped after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and remained suspended in the middle of the deteriorating bilateral relations after a military distance in the eastern Ladak later this year.
Is the restart of direct flights of India-China on the horizon?
The hope of the breakthrough increased after the Indian Consul in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, met Eastern Airlines on Thursday. The Indian consulate on X said the meeting discussed “growth opportunities” in civil aviation and hospitality. The participating part of the travel industry in Shanghai reportedly expressed a strong interest in the restoration of air connections.
Lin said that the recovery of flights would “facilitate cross -border travel, stock exchange and cooperation” between two nations whose combined population exceeds 2.8 billion.
Will it match with diplomatic interviews at a high level?
There are also speculation that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi could visit India on 18 August for special interviews at the level of representatives over the border dispute with the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Lin refused to confirm the visit and stated that the details would be published “at the right time”.
Both officials last met in China in December 2024, shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping agreed in Kazan to revive the suspended dialogue mechanisms.
How does Beijing look at New Delhi?
He described both countries as “main developing nations and important members of the global south”, added that “the cooperative passport pass de deux dragon and the elephant as partners who help each other is the right choice for both parties.” He emphasized the importance of increasing political trust, expanding cooperation and cooperation in versatile forums such as SCO.
(Tagstotranslate) China
