By Mewati Sitaram
Great news for Indian travellers heading to China, direct flights will soon be available again. His Excellency Xu Wei, Consul General of China in Kolkata, confirmed during a recent press conference that talks are in progress to resume these flights after a five-year break. The return of direct flights is expected to provide significant benefits for businesspersons and professionals from both countries.
Despite ongoing border tensions, bilateral trade between India and China reached an impressive US$ 118.40 billion in FY24. These flights were initially suspended due to the pandemic and never resumed due to the border issues. Talks are also ongoing regarding the potential restart of the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra, which was discussed during the 33rd meeting of the China-India border consultation mechanism.
Before the pandemic, direct flights operated from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other destinations, with up to 50 flights per week. Consul General Xu Wei confirmed that both countries are working towards resuming these flights as quickly as possible.
Additionally, Wei noted that 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of China-India diplomatic relations, with several events planned to commemorate this milestone. He expressed optimism for the future of bilateral ties, stating, “The spring of China-India relations is arriving.” Wei also urged India to consider relaxing its visa policy for Chinese citizens, which would further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
