Resuming direct flights is just the first step towards restoring China-India relations.

247 - The resumption of direct flights between China and India, after more than five years of interruption, marks a turning point in relations between the two largest nations on the planet. The first flight, fully booked, departed from Kolkata and landed in Guangzhou this Monday (26), symbolizing the beginning of a new stage of bilateral rapprochement. The analysis was published by the newspaper Global Times, which highlighted the symbolic and strategic nature of this gesture.

Despite being neighbors and together representing more than a third of the world's population, China and India remained without direct flights for more than five years — a fact considered "difficult to understand" by the editorial staff. Global TimesThe agency AFP He described the moment as a sign that "the two Asian giants are cautiously rebuilding their relations," while the Bloomberg He pointed to the episode as "further evidence of the warming ties between two of the world's largest economies."

The Indian government stated that the resumption of flights should strengthen "contact between peoples" and help in the "gradual normalization of bilateral exchanges." According to the Chinese newspaper, the reopening of the routes represents an essential step towards the normalization of relations, going far beyond a simple logistical advancement.

From tensions to political understanding.

In recent years, Sino-Indian relations have been marked by border tensions, trade fluctuations, and restrictions imposed by the pandemic. However, a new cycle began after the meeting between the president. Xi Jinping and the prime minister Narendra Modi in Tianjin, in August of this year.

During the meeting, Xi stated that China and India should be “good neighbors and partners who help each other succeed,” while Modi responded that the two countries are “partners, not rivals” and that “consensus between nations far outweighs differences.” This exchange of positive messages opened the way for a rapprochement guided by high-level diplomacy.

Expanding trade and gestures of goodwill

The political upturn is having repercussions on the economy. Last month, Indian imports from China grew by more than 16% compared to the same period last year, while Indian exports to the Chinese market increased by about 34%. During the festival DiwaliSoldiers from both countries exchanged sweets along the way. Real Control Line, a symbolic gesture of goodwill and détente.

Given this scenario, the reactivation of direct flights is seen as a natural consequence of a broader movement towards rapprochement and a strong mutual desire for economic and cultural cooperation.

Relationships remain limited and challenges persist.

O Global Times However, it is worth remembering that restoring flights is only the first step. Other channels of communication remain limited: the system of e-visas Visas for Chinese travelers are still suspended, Chinese students are having difficulty obtaining visas for India, and there are bottlenecks in border trade.

According to the newspaper, China is currently "unilaterally opening up" to India, while New Delhi is "only opening a small crack in the door." Considering the combined potential of over 2,8 billion people, bilateral cooperation is still far from reaching its full potential.

Overcoming prejudices and strengthening strategic autonomy.

The editorial also points out that part of the Indian resistance stems from “cognitive biases” and the influence of political sectors that continue to see China as a “major competitor” or “imaginary adversary.” The text argues that India, as a major power with an autonomous foreign policy, must break with the role that the West tries to impose on it in the so-called “Indo-Pacific chessboard.”

For Global TimesImproving relations with China should be a sovereign choice, based on Indian national interests. Facilitating exchanges between businesspeople, academics, and artists, for example, would bring direct benefits to both countries and broaden social and cultural cooperation.

Two protagonists from the Global South

In a global context of instability and slow economic recovery, China and India are consolidating their positions as leaders in... Global South and key players in promoting global multipolarityThe editorial emphasizes that both countries should focus their efforts on development as a common goal, supporting each other and contributing to the peace and prosperity of Asia and the world.

The reopening of direct flights, therefore, is only the beginning of a broader process. As highlighted by... Global Times“There is much more to be restored between China and India beyond direct flights”—and the real challenge now is to transform the current climate of goodwill into a lasting and balanced partnership.