Five years on india china direct flights are still stuck on the tarmac
India and China have held one round of discussions on restarting direct flights after nearly five years, Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam told Reuters on Monday. He confirmed that no dates have been decided so far, as some issues remain unresolved. Both countries had agreed in January to restart direct air connectivity and begin working on a framework for flight resumption.The meeting marks a step forward in efforts to normalise travel links between the two countries, which were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent diplomatic tensions. Talks are ongoing, and authorities on both sides are working to address pending concerns before announcing a timeline.
Despite the delayed flight plans, China has simplified the visa process for Indian citizens. As of March 17, 2025, Chinese diplomatic missions in India have issued over 50,000 visas to Indian travelers this year. In 2023, over 180,000 Indian citizens were issued Chinese visas, according to the Chinese Embassy in India.
Changes introduced by China include scrapping mandatory online appointments, exempting short-term travelers from biometric data submission, and reducing visa fees. These steps are aimed at making the process faster and more accessible for Indian visitors.
‘While flowers blossom in spring, we welcome more Indian friends to visit China and get a first-hand experience of China in spring,’ said Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India.
Travel restrictions between the two countries were severe during the pandemic, with limited visa categories and additional documentation requirements. While students and business travelers were allowed entry in 2022, general tourism had remained restricted.
The recent visa relaxations signal a shift in China's approach towards travel from India. The measures are expected to support tourism, academic exchanges, and business ties, even as both countries continue working on restoring direct air links.
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