look news india
After a gap of four years, China has been pressuring India to start direct passenger flights between the two countries but India has rejected the Chinese invitation following the ongoing border dispute with China.
Relations between India and China have soured since the bloody armed clash between Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Galwan Valley in Ladakh in June 2020. Relations are tense and strained. After this, both the countries have deployed heavy troops on their borders. A senior Indian official said that although China wants direct flights to start between India and China, the relationship between the two countries will not improve until China establishes peace on the border.
Starting direct flights is in the interest of both countries.
It has become difficult for Chinese companies to invest in India after the border dispute between India and China escalated. India has banned many popular Chinese apps. Flights on some passenger routes have also been suspended. However, the continuation of direct cargo flights between these two major Asian countries is welcome. Direct flights are beneficial for both countries but India's aviation sector is growing rapidly while for China, the recovery in foreign travel after Corona is slow and difficult. China's Foreign Minister had expressed hope last week that direct flights would be started by India as soon as possible. Starting direct flights is in the interest of both countries.
There were 539 direct flights as of 2019
There were 539 direct flights between India and China in 2019. These include IndiGo, Air India, China Southern, China Eastern, Air China and Shandong. 168 flights were operated by Indian airlines.