India and China agree to resume direct flights for first time in five years
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India, China to Resume Direct Flights After 5-Year Freeze
Above: An IndiGo aircraft, a unit of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., left, and an Air India Ltd. plane on the tarmac at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India, on Oct. 10, 2024. Image copyright: Prakash Singh/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-China narrative
The flight agreement demonstrates China's commitment to improving bilateral relations and fostering mutual understanding. Beijing is emphasizing the need for both countries to work in the same direction and explore substantive measures for cooperation.
Narrative B
The resumption of direct flights represents a strategic shift in India's stance, following earlier resistance to Chinese requests for reestablishing air links due to border disputes and security concerns. This had previously led to restrictions on Chinese investments and bans on hundreds of Chinese apps — and a tenuous period between the two powers.