India and China to resume direct flights after five-year break

India and China have reached an agreement to resume direct flights between the two countries, nearly five years after the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent political tensions halted air travel.

The announcement came at the end of a visit to Beijing by India's Foreign Ministry Secretary, Vikram Misri.

This development marks a positive shift in the otherwise strained relations between the two nations, with both sides signaling a thaw in diplomatic ties.

Misri's visit was one of the highest-level official trips to China since the deadly border clash in the Himalayas in 2020, which significantly impacted bilateral relations.

According to India’s foreign ministry, the visit resulted in an agreement "in principle" to restart direct air services.

The two nations have agreed that their respective technical authorities will soon meet to finalize the updated framework necessary to facilitate the resumption of flights.

The statement also highlighted that both countries are committed to enhancing diplomatic efforts to rebuild trust and confidence, with plans to address unresolved trade and economic issues in the near future.