Published: 6 October 2025NPRInternational
India-China to Resume Direct Flights from October 26 After Five-Year Suspension
After a five-year suspension, direct flights between India and mainland China were announced to resume from October 26, 2025. Flights had been suspended since early 2020 due to COVID-19 and remained halted after the deadly Galwan Valley clash on the Himalayan border escalated tensions.
IndiGo's flight 6E 1703 from Kolkata to Guangzhou became the first service on October 26. IndiGo also announced Delhi-Guangzhou flights from November 10. Air India plans to relaunch Delhi-Shanghai by end of 2025. Chinese airlines China Southern and China Eastern are also planning to restart services. The resumption is expected to significantly boost trade, tourism, and cargo activities between the world's two most populous nations.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the strategic significance of resuming India-China direct flights from October 26, 2025, after a five-year suspension triggered by COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley clash.
Answer (50 words):
Resumption began with IndiGo's flight 6E 1703 Kolkata-Guangzhou on October 26, 2025, ending a five-year halt since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. IndiGo adds Delhi-Guangzhou from November 10; Air India targets Delhi-Shanghai by end-2025. China Southern and China Eastern plan restarts, signalling cautious normalisation that revives trade, tourism and cargo links.
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CoverageInternationalSubjectInternationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceNPR
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Frequently asked questions
When will India-China direct flights resume?
India-China direct flights will resume from **October 26, 2025**, ending a **five-year suspension** that began in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley tensions.
Why were India-China flights suspended for five years?
Flights were suspended in **2020** due to the **COVID-19 pandemic** and diplomatic tensions following the **Galwan Valley clash** in Ladakh, which severely strained bilateral relations.
What does the resumption of India-China flights signify?
The resumption from **October 26, 2025** signals **normalisation of India-China bilateral relations** after years of tension, facilitating business, tourism, and people-to-people connectivity.
What preceded the resumption of India-China flights in 2025?
The flight resumption followed **border de-escalation** along the Line of Actual Control and diplomatic normalisation talks, reflecting improved ties between the two nations by late 2025.
How long were India-China direct flights suspended before October 2025?
India-China direct flights were suspended for approximately **five years** (since 2020) before being resumed from **October 26, 2025**.
