After nearly five years, India and China have officially resumed direct flights, marking a significant step toward rebuilding relations between Asia’s two largest nations.
The first IndiGo flight (6E1703) from Kolkata touched down in Guangzhou early this morning, symbolizing a cautious yet hopeful move toward normalization after the 2020 pandemic-induced suspension and border tensions that froze air travel.
For the passengers onboard — many of whom are business professionals eager to reconnect with Chinese partners — the experience was more than just a convenient journey.
“It was such a smooth and easy, lovable trip,” said Rashika Mintri, a 44-year-old interior designer from Kolkata. “I could come again and again.”
India’s government welcomed the move, calling it a milestone in strengthening “people-to-people contact” and “gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges.”
From Rivalry to Reconnection
Though India and China remain strategic competitors on the global stage, the reopening of air routes signals a softening in tone. Warming relations come at a time when India’s economic dialogue with the United States faces friction over trade tariffs and geopolitical positioning.
IndiGo’s Captain Abhijit Mukherjee shared how this move simplifies travel for passengers who previously had to make lengthy connections via Bangkok or Singapore. “It adds up,” he said, adding that the direct route he just flew was “very smooth.”
Kolkata, with its centuries-old connection to China, particularly through its Chinatown in Tangra, has welcomed the news warmly. “Air connectivity will boost trade, tourism, and business travel,” said Chen Khoi Kui, a community leader in Kolkata’s Chinatown.
A Step Toward Renewed Trust
The return of direct flights isn’t just about convenience — it’s a symbol of trust, trade, and transformation. It comes after key diplomatic meetings last year in Russia and China, where both nations agreed to pursue dialogue over disputes.
Passenger Athar Ali, a 33-year-old businessman from India, called it a “first step” toward mending relations that had turned frosty since the 2020 border clash.
Both countries continue to maintain troops along their contested frontier, yet recent gestures — including the exchange of sweets between soldiers during Diwali — hint at a shift toward goodwill.
The reopening of the skies between India and China is more than a flight path — it’s a bridge to renewed connection, commerce, and cultural exchange. It’s a sign that even after turbulence, dialogue and diplomacy can still find a way forward.
