India Rejects China’s Request to Restart Passenger Flights

China is urging India to restart direct passenger flights after a four-year hiatus, but New Delhi is holding back as border disputes continue to strain relations between the two populous nations, officials report.

New Delhi resists due to ongoing border disputes

Tensions between India and China have remained high since a major military confrontation in the disputed Himalayan border region in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers. Thousands of troops are still stationed on both sides of the border.

Cargo flights between the countries continue

Following the clash, India has taken steps to limit Chinese investments, banned numerous Chinese apps, and halted direct passenger flights, though cargo flights between the countries have continued.

While the resumption of direct flights would economically benefit both nations, China stands to gain more given its lagging recovery in overseas travel post-COVID-19, in contrast to India’s booming aviation sector.

“We hope the Indian side will work with China in the same direction for the early resumption of direct flights,” China’s Foreign Ministry stated to Reuters last week, emphasizing that such a move would be mutually beneficial.

However, a senior Indian official involved in bilateral developments with China remarked on Beijing’s push to resume flights, stating, “Unless there is peace and tranquillity on the border, the rest of the relationship cannot move forward.”

Discussions are ongoing between Indian airlines and New Delhi, as well as between Chinese carriers and their government, regarding the potential resumption of direct routes.