Resumption of India-China Direct Flights: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc

Overview

This arc chronicles the calibrated restoration of direct aviation links between India and China following a five-year suspension triggered by the 2020 Galwan clash and the COVID-19 pandemic. The process moved through three distinct phases: a preliminary agreement in March 2025, a high-level diplomatic coupling of 'aviation' with 'LAC de-escalation' during the 24th Special Representative talks in August, and final technical negotiations in early October. By October 27, 2025, direct services were operational. For India, this represents a shift from a policy of 'strict disengagement' to 'calibrated re-engagement,' balancing economic needs and people-to-people ties with cautious border security monitoring.

How This Story Evolved

Initial agreement (March) → Diplomatic confirmation (August) → Final scheduling (Early Oct) → Operational resumption (Late Oct)

1. 2025-03-02: India to resume direct flights with China
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India to resume direct flights with China on October 26, 2025.

   Key Facts:

   • India
   • China
   • October 26, 2025
2. 2025-08-20: India-China Special Representative Talks
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   UPSC Angle: India-China Special Representative talks prioritize boundary delimitation.

   Key Facts:

   • 24th round of India-China Special Representative talks held
   • Prioritize early progress on boundary delimitation and phased de-escalation at the LAC
   • Trade and investment flows should be mutually beneficial, avoiding over-dependence
   • Build trust through open data-sharing and cooperation on trans-boundary water projects
   • Cultural exchange meetings are going to start from 2026
   • Restart direct flights as soon as possible which were stopped
3. 2025-10-04: India and China to Resume Direct Air Services
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   UPSC Angle: India and China to Resume Direct Air Services.

   Key Facts:

   • Direct air services to resume between India and China by late October 2025
4. 2025-10-27: India and China Resume Direct Flights
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   UPSC Angle: India and China resume direct flights after five years.

   Key Facts:

   • Direct flights between India and China resumed on October 26 after a 5-year suspension.
   • The first flight was operated by IndiGo from Kolkata to Guangzhou.

Genesis

Trigger

The arc was officially triggered on March 2, 2025, when both nations reached an initial agreement to resume direct flights by late October, signaling a mutual intent to move past the post-2020 diplomatic freeze.

Why Now

The resumption was enabled by the 'phased de-escalation' progress at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India’s policy of 'peace on the border as a prerequisite for normal relations' saw a breakthrough during the 24th round of SR talks, where civil aviation was used as a confidence-building measure.

Historical Context

Direct flights were suspended in 2020. Historically, India and China have used the Special Representative (SR) mechanism (established in 2003) to manage the boundary dispute while attempting to insulate trade and travel from border tensions—a policy that was severely tested and broken in 2020.

Key Turning Points

1. [2025-08-20] 24th Round of India-China Special Representative Talks

   It transformed flight resumption from a 'planned goal' into a 'diplomatic deliverable' linked to border stability.

   Before: Flights were a standalone commercial discussion. After: Flights became part of a larger package including water-data sharing and 75th-anniversary commemorations.

2. [2025-10-26] Resumption of first direct flight (IndiGo: Kolkata-Guangzhou)

   It broke the 5-year operational deadlock and provided the first physical link for businesses since 2020.

   Before: Travel required expensive, time-consuming layovers in third countries. After: Direct, cost-effective connectivity restored for trade and students.

Key Actors and Institutions

Key Institutions

• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Airports Authority of India (AAI)
• Special Representatives (SR) Forum

Key Concepts

Air Services Agreement (ASA)

A bilateral treaty that governs the number of flights, routes, and designated airlines allowed to fly between two countries.

Current Fact: Technical discussions for a 'revised Air Services Agreement' were the final step before the October 2025 resumption.

Line of Actual Control (LAC)

The effective border between India and China, which lacks formal delimitation and has been the site of major military standoffs since 2020.

Current Fact: Resumption of flights was prioritized alongside 'phased de-escalation at the LAC' during the August 24th SR talks.

Special Representative (SR) Mechanism

A high-level political forum designed to reach a settlement on the boundary question and maintain peace in the interim.

Current Fact: The 24th round of SR talks in August 2025 was the critical venue for linking border progress to flight resumption.

What Happens Next

Current Status

Direct air services are currently operational as of October 26, 2025, with IndiGo leading the resumption via the Kolkata-Guangzhou route.

Likely Next

Expect the launch of cultural exchange programs in 2026 and commemorative events for the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic relations.

Wildcards

Fresh friction at the LAC or a breakdown in 'open data-sharing' on trans-boundary water projects (like the Brahmaputra) could lead to a sudden reversal or 'technical' suspension of these flights.

Why UPSC Cares

Syllabus Topics

• India and its neighborhood- relations
• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India
• Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Essay Angles

• The link between economic interdependence and border security.
• Civil aviation as a tool of soft power and 'Track 1.5' diplomacy.
• Balancing trade dependency with national security in the Indo-Pacific.

Prelims Likely: Yes

Mains Likely: Yes

Trend Signal: rising

Exam Intelligence

Previous Year Question Connections

• Testing the utility of the 'Special Representatives' forum in addressing LAC incursions. — The 2025 flight resumption proves the SR forum still serves as the primary 'clearing house' for bilateral breakthroughs.
• Testing how border problems affected the quantum jump in India-China trade. — This arc shows a modern attempt to 'insulate' trade and connectivity from border disputes through phased de-escalation.

Prelims Angles

• Date of first flight resumption (Oct 26, 2025) and the airline involved (IndiGo).
• Specific route of the first flight: Kolkata to Guangzhou.
• The role of the 24th round of Special Representative talks in linking aviation to LAC progress.
• Definition and function of an 'Air Services Agreement' (ASA) in bilateral relations.

Mains Preparation

Sample Question: Discuss the significance of resuming direct air services between India and China in the context of the 'peace on the border' prerequisite. To what extent can economic and people-to-people ties act as a stabilizer for the LAC dispute?

Answer Structure: Intro: Mention the Oct 2025 resumption after a 5-year gap. Body 1: Economic impact (trade flows, business travel, student movement). Body 2: Diplomatic linkage (SR talks role, phased de-escalation). Critical Analysis: Risk of 'over-dependence' vs. 'peace dividend'. Conclusion: Way forward via trans-boundary cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Essay Topic: The Sky is the Limit: Can Civil Connectivity Bridge Terrestrial Border Disputes?

Textbook Connections

Key Takeaway

The 2025 flight resumption marks a pivot from 'defensive isolation' to 'calibrated re-engagement,' using civil aviation as a barometer for stability at the LAC.

All Events in This Story (4 items)

1. 2025-03-02 [International Relations] — India to resume direct flights with China
   India and China have agreed to resume direct flights starting October 26, 2025, which is expected to benefit businesses and increase people-to-people contact between the two countries.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India to resume direct flights with China on October 26, 2025.

   Key Facts:

   • India
   • China
   • October 26, 2025
2. 2025-08-20 [International Relations] — India-China Special Representative Talks
   India and China held the 24th round of Special Representative talks, prioritising early progress on boundary delimitation and phased de-escalation at the LAC. Discussions covered mutually beneficial trade and investment, avoiding over-dependence, and data-sharing on trans-boundary water projects. Both countries are also planning to restart cultural exchange meetings and direct flights, and commemorate 75 years of relations.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India-China Special Representative talks prioritize boundary delimitation.

   Key Facts:

   • 24th round of India-China Special Representative talks held
   • Prioritize early progress on boundary delimitation and phased de-escalation at the LAC
   • Trade and investment flows should be mutually beneficial, avoiding over-dependence
   • Build trust through open data-sharing and cooperation on trans-boundary water projects
   • Cultural exchange meetings are going to start from 2026
   • Restart direct flights as soon as possible which were stopped
3. 2025-10-04 [International Relations] — India and China to Resume Direct Air Services
   India and China have agreed to resume direct air services between designated points by late October 2025. The External Affairs Ministry confirmed ongoing technical discussions between the two countries' civil aviation authorities on a revised Air Services Agreement.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India and China to Resume Direct Air Services.

   Key Facts:

   • Direct air services to resume between India and China by late October 2025
4. 2025-10-27 [International Relations] — India and China Resume Direct Flights
   India and China resumed direct flights on October 26 after a five-year suspension, with the first flight operated by IndiGo from Kolkata to Guangzhou, marking a step towards rebuilding relations.
   More details

   UPSC Angle: India and China resume direct flights after five years.

   Key Facts:

   • Direct flights between India and China resumed on October 26 after a 5-year suspension.
   • The first flight was operated by IndiGo from Kolkata to Guangzhou.