Indian media intensively discusses resumption of direct flights between China and India's capitals
"Not just travel." In a headline on October 22, The Hindustan Times reported that the Chinese Embassy in India had earlier announced on social media that Air China would resume direct passenger flights between Beijing and New Delhi. The embassy spokesperson stated that the restoration of this route not only facilitates tourism exchanges between the two countries but also significantly promotes bilateral trade, political mutual trust, and deepens people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation under frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.
Following the release of this news, mainstream Indian media quickly followed up with coverage. The Hindustan Times commented that the resumption of direct flights between Beijing and New Delhi offers new hope for enhanced communication and trust-building between China and India. On the same day, India’s National Herald pointed out that the restoration of direct flights between the capitals of the two nations is an important signal of improving bilateral relations, directly boosting trade, tourism, and civil exchanges across various fields.
Since 2020, direct flights between China and India were suspended. It wasn't until October 2025 that both sides officially resumed direct flight services. According to Indian media reports, the phased restoration of direct flights began from October 2025. On October 26, 2025, the first resumed direct flight commenced operations on the Kolkata–Guangzhou route. On November 9 of the same year, the direct flight service between Shanghai and New Delhi was restored, operating three times weekly. On February 1 of this year, Air India resumed its direct flights from Shanghai to Delhi after a six-year hiatus. Additionally, IndiGo launched regular direct flights between Delhi and Guangzhou starting November 10, 2025, operating one daily flight.
According to a special correspondent of Global Times based in India, tickets for flights from Beijing to Delhi starting April 21 are already available on major ticket booking platforms in both countries, with three weekly departures. For business travelers, the resumption of direct flights connecting multiple cities in China and India will make travel more convenient and flexible. E-commerce companies, logistics providers, and exhibition firms engaged in cross-border trade between China and India have begun actively preparing; registration numbers for Chinese exhibitors at Indian trade fairs in May have seen a significant increase.
With India gradually relaxing investment restrictions on Chinese enterprises, some Chinese companies have initiated inspection teams to explore the possibility of shifting from a "pure export" model to one involving technology licensing, minor equity stakes, and local production. They are also consulting organizations such as the China-India Chamber of Commerce regarding market entry procedures and compliance requirements. (Special correspondent Liu Zhen ● Bai Yuan, Global Times, India)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860422520413196/
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