India and China agreed that direct air services connecting designated points in both countries could resume by late October 2025, subject to carrier decisions and operational requirements. The first resumed service was an IndiGo Kolkata-Guangzhou flight, not an Air India Delhi-Beijing service. Direct flights had been suspended since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained frozen amid border tensions. The resumption formed part of gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges. India-China total bilateral trade in 2024-25 was about $127.7 billion, not $136 billion.
India-China Direct Flights Resume After 5-Year Suspension; IndiGo Operates First Kolkata-Guangzhou Service
AQuick answer
India-China direct flights resumed in late October 2025 after a five-year suspension; IndiGo operated the inaugural Kolkata-Guangzhou service.
Key facts
- Direct air services between India and China were agreed to resume by late October 2025, subject to carrier and operational requirements.
- The first resumed service was IndiGo's Kolkata-Guangzhou flight, not an Air India Delhi-Beijing flight.
- Flights had been suspended since 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained frozen amid border tensions.
- The resumption was part of gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.
- India-China bilateral trade reached about $127.7 billion in 2024-25.
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Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionEasy
When did direct flights between India and China resume after the COVID-era suspension?
Explanation · Correct answer C
Direct flights between India and China resumed on October 27, 2025, for the first time since 2020 when they were suspended due to COVID-19 and the Galwan Valley clashes.
Source: Wikipedia
Frequently asked questions
When did India-China direct flights resume after suspension?
India and China agreed that direct air services could resume by late October 2025, subject to commercial and operational requirements. The first resumed service was IndiGo's Kolkata-Guangzhou flight.
Why were India-China flights suspended and when did they resume?
Direct flights were suspended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and remained frozen amid border tensions. Services resumed in late October 2025 as part of gradual normalisation.
Which airline operated the first India-China flight after resumption in 2025?
IndiGo operated the first resumed Kolkata-Guangzhou service. The content should not describe the first flight as an Air India Delhi-Beijing service.
What is the diplomatic significance of India-China flight resumption in 2025?
MEA described the agreement as a step that would facilitate people-to-people contact and contribute to gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.
What is the India-China bilateral trade figure in context of 2025 flight resumption?
India-China total bilateral trade reached about $127.7 billion in 2024-25, according to official data reported by Business Standard.
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