Why India is not keen on resuming direct flights to China

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. For Indians looking to travel to the Middle Kingdom, a direct flight is still some distance. Despite cooling hostilities, the Indian security establishment is opposed to direct flights that remain suspended since 2020, two people aware of the matter said, given unresolved national security concerns.

China has repeatedly pressed for a resumption, including on the sidelines of the recent G20 Summit when Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met external affairs minister S. Jaishankar. “Currently, our security establishment is not in favour of resumption of direct flights with China," said a top Indian government official, one of the two people cited above, requesting anonymity.

While resuming direct flights might support the economy and improve people-to-people ties, India's caution aligns with its broader strategy of reducing dependence on Chinese goods and services, emphasizing self-reliance and safeguarding strategic interests. Since 2020, India has imposed several measures against Chinese entities, including banning Chinese apps, tightening visa protocols, and restricting investments. Queries emailed to the spokespersons of ministries of home affairs, external affairs, civil aviation, Prime Minister's Office, and the Chinese embassy in New Delhi on Monday remained unanswered.

“The key concern behind the opposition to flight resumption is the trust deficit. The standoff over flight resumption may only end after top-level discussions in the matter," the second person said, also on the condition of anonymity. India-China direct flights stopped in 2020 as countries shut air travel during the covid-19 outbreak.