New Delhi: India and China on Thursday discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in the civil aviation sector, including resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam and other senior officials met with representatives from China on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation in the national capital.
In a post on X, Naidu said he along with senior officials had a courtesy meeting with a Chinese delegation led by Song Zhiyong.
“As Chairman for the 2nd Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, I have used this platform to engage with foreign delegations. Today, along with Secretary Shri Vumlunmang Vualnam and other senior officials, I had a courtesy meeting with the Chinese delegation led by Song Zhiyong. We exchanged views on enhancing civil aviation cooperation, specifically on promoting the early resumption of scheduled passenger flights,” Kinjarapu shared on X (formerly Twitter).
While the minister did not provide details on the outcomes of the discussions, the meeting marks an important step towards rebuilding travel connectivity between the two countries. The conference, organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), provided a diplomatic opportunity for both nations to address aviation-related concerns.
India-China direct flights suspended during Covid-19: Direct flights between India and China were suspended in early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Even though global air travel has largely recovered, tensions following the 2020 border skirmish in Eastern Ladakh — where 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers lost their lives — continued to hinder the restoration of normal relations. As a result, flights have yet to resume, despite high demand for passenger connectivity.
Before the pandemic, the two countries managed more than 500 monthly direct flights. Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, operated the majority of these flights. Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo also provided direct routes between the two nations.
Border tensions impact India-China travel: The bilateral relationship between the countries has also been strained since the 2020 military standoff, which occurred along their disputed Himalayan border. As a result, India has taken steps to reduce Chinese influence, including stricter scrutiny of investments, the banning of hundreds of Chinese apps, and halting passenger air routes. While cargo flights between the countries continue, passenger services have remained suspended, leading to longer, more expensive journeys through connecting hubs like Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore.
