In brief
In a notable development, India and China have agreed to resume direct flights for the first time in nearly five years. This decision reflects a renewed effort to mend relations that have been strained since violent skirmishes in the Himalayas in 2020. The announcement follows a diplomatic visit by India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, to Beijing, where both nations discussed enhancing access for journalists and facilitating pilgrimages to a significant Hindu shrine in Tibet.
Relations between the two countries had deteriorated sharply, especially after the deadly clashes at the border. However, recent diplomatic engagements, including a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Russia, have paved the way for this reconciliation. Their discussion was the first substantial dialogue in years, indicating a shift toward rebuilding trust and cooperation.During Misri's visit, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for both nations to work together to combat "mutual suspicion" and to foster a more cooperative atmosphere. Technical discussions about resuming flights, which were halted since the onset of Covid-19, are expected to take place soon. While flights to Hong Kong resumed earlier, those to mainland China remained suspended due to ongoing tensions.As both nations work towards restoring normalcy in their relationship, the resumption of direct flights signifies a hopeful step forward, along with other collaborative efforts aimed at stabilizing ties between the Asian neighbors.
