Public opinion is divided on the resumption of direct flights between India and China. While some see it as a positive step towards improving bilateral relations, a significant number express skepticism regarding China's trustworthiness and highlight ongoing security concerns stemming from historical tensions. Overall sentiment leans slightly negative, with apprehension about the potential risks overshadowing perceived benefits.

India

China



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* [www.reuters.com](https://archive.is/submit/?submitid=&amp;url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/india-china-restart-direct-flights-by-late-october-says-foreign-ministry-2025-10-02)

📣 **[Submission Statement by OP](/r/GeopoliticsIndia/comments/1nw5ylt/india_and_china_to_resume_direct_flights_after/nhdhld8/)**:
&gt; Submission Statement: 
&gt;
&gt;India and China will resume direct passenger flights this month after more than five years, signaling a cautious thaw in bilateral tensions. IndiGo announced daily non-stop services between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, with a New Delhi–China route also planned.
&gt;
&gt;The move follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he and President Xi Jinping agreed to view each other as development partners and discussed boosting trade ties despite India’s nearly $99.2 billion trade deficit with China. Modi also stressed the need for peace along the disputed border, where a deadly 2020 clash had led to a prolonged military standoff. 

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|Factual Rating| very high|
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GeoIndModBot

Submission Statement: 

India and China will resume direct passenger flights this month after more than five years, signaling a cautious thaw in bilateral tensions. IndiGo announced daily non-stop services between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26, with a New Delhi–China route also planned.

The move follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, where he and President Xi Jinping agreed to view each other as development partners and discussed boosting trade ties despite India’s nearly $99.2 billion trade deficit with China. Modi also stressed the need for peace along the disputed border, where a deadly 2020 clash had led to a prolonged military standoff.

FuhrerIsCringe

This is definitely a hint to the US that India and China, although they have big differences, may join forces because of Trump.

Any-Original-6113

If India's resumption of giving visas to PRC citizens and the newly added ridiculous requirements is any indication, this is just temporary &amp; symbolic middle finger to US (done the predictable Indian way of course)

slowwolfcat

Also just stopped [direct flights to Washington](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/air-india-suspends-delhi-washington-flights-due-plane-shortages-pakistan-2025-08-11/)

reddragonoftheeast

Submission Statement:

India and China are set to resume direct flights as soon as September — the announcement likely around the time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the eastern neighbour at the end of August — as the two countries seek to reset political ties after years of tensions, sources have said.

Direct flights between India and China were halted after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing people to travel by hopping flights through hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.

The renewed push to resume direct flights and improve bilateral ties between the two Asian countries comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions over US President Donald Trump's tariffs on India, which he doubled from 25 per cent to 50 per cent due to New Delhi's oil purchase from Russia.

Top-Flatworm8201

Trump for Nobel peace prize. He just bought two bitter rivals/enemies who went to war with each other in the 60's and had constant border conflicts ever since   together. Bravo Orangutan.

lastkni8

This is amazing news, since these two having good, or at least better relationship is one of the ways to lower global conflict the most

ale_93113

[deleted]



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📣 **[Submission Statement by OP](/r/GeopoliticsIndia/comments/1h0xevx/why_india_is_not_keen_on_resuming_direct_flights/lz7a8y5/)**:
&gt; SS: India remains hesitant to resume direct flights to China, suspended since 2020, due to unresolved national security concerns and a lingering trust deficit following the Galwan clash. Despite China’s repeated requests, including during the recent G20 Summit, India’s security establishment resists, aligning with its broader strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese goods and safeguard strategic interests. This caution contrasts with trade dynamics, as India remains China’s largest trading partner, with a widening trade deficit of $57.83 billion. Resuming flights could streamline business connectivity and benefit traders by reducing costs and transit times, but Indian experts argue it may disproportionately favour China. Indian exporters have resorted to rerouting goods through third countries to bypass supply chain bottlenecks linked to Chinese export restrictions. While traders and airlines advocate for direct flights, the government maintains that national security and strategic concerns outweigh the economic advantages. 

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|Factual Rating| mixed|
|Credibility Rating|medium credibility|

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I don’t know it its a correct approach there is no direct flights and Indian embassy are not granting visas to chinese easily, and that creates problem with Indian industries as well, the talcher fertiliser plant gave 9000cr project to wuhan construction before pandemic but its just dead even after 6 years there hasnt been any progress coz their engineers dont get visa and all, its a shit show, so we hurt ourselves as well

noicenit

China has economic problem.  This is why they want direct flights.  But we know about their attitude / nature also.  Hence we should remain nervous rather non committed and use this to push China to resolve outstanding issues in our favour.

PositiveFun8654

SS: India remains hesitant to resume direct flights to China, suspended since 2020, due to unresolved national security concerns and a lingering trust deficit following the Galwan clash. Despite China’s repeated requests, including during the recent G20 Summit, India’s security establishment resists, aligning with its broader strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese goods and safeguard strategic interests. This caution contrasts with trade dynamics, as India remains China’s largest trading partner, with a widening trade deficit of $57.83 billion. Resuming flights could streamline business connectivity and benefit traders by reducing costs and transit times, but Indian experts argue it may disproportionately favour China. Indian exporters have resorted to rerouting goods through third countries to bypass supply chain bottlenecks linked to Chinese export restrictions. While traders and airlines advocate for direct flights, the government maintains that national security and strategic concerns outweigh the economic advantages.

telephonecompany

May be they don’t want to make it easy to do business with China.

thisoneforfinance

Most China routes will ferry north american traffic back and forth between Indian cities.

Legitimate-Leek4235

https://citizenwatchreport.com/india-and-china-to-resume-direct-flights/

alexmark002

Sweaty_Telephone9720

so they agreed to it just a few days ago.

  
you do know it takes MONTHS, up to a YEAR to dot out the plans for that?

SuMianAi

I figure it's up to the Indian government. Till now, they still haven't gotten back to normally approving Chinese visas. 

The good news is, as China - India relations ease up, it seems like they've been okaying more student visas lately. So I'm thinking it won't be too long.

I had to fly from China to Hong Kong to New Delhi. Nice to know they’re making direct flights now, but I doubt I’d go back anytime soon. My stomachs still recovering 5 months later 😂

JamesLam

Backup of the post's body: There were news going on for last 2-3 years that the direct flights between India and China will start soon but still not implemented yet. 

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It’s on the Indian side. I saw some Chinese airlines had already filed for some 🇮🇳 destinations and got approved by the Chinese side

tenzindolma2047

After a five-year suspension, India and China are set to resume direct flights, marking a potential thaw in relations between the two nations.

India-China Direct Flights Resumption

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