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In a move seen as a positive signal for India-China relations, Beijing on Friday welcomed the resumption of direct passenger flights between the two countries after a prolonged gap, calling it a step toward “healthy and stable” bilateral development.

“The resumption of direct flights between mainland China and India is the latest progress in earnestly implementing the important consensus reached by the two leaders during their Tianjin meeting. It is also a positive measure to facilitate friendly exchanges between the more than 2.8 billion people of China and India,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said during a regular media briefing.

Guo added that China is ready to work with India to take a long-term and strategic view of bilateral ties. “China is willing to work with India to view and handle China-India relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, promote the continued healthy and stable development of bilateral relations, better benefit the two countries and their peoples, and make due contributions to maintaining peace and prosperity in Asia and the world,” he said.

Also Read: Resumption of India-China direct flights in line with normalisation of ties: MEA

Indian budget carrier IndiGo has announced the restart of daily flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou beginning October 26, making it one of the first Indian airlines to reintroduce direct service to China. The move follows the Ministry of External Affairs’ confirmation that both countries agreed to resume air connectivity between selected cities.

IndiGo also plans to launch daily flights between New Delhi and Guangzhou from November 10, using its Airbus A320 fleet, as part of efforts to strengthen travel and business links.

Meanwhile, China Eastern Airlines said it would restart its Shanghai–Delhi route on November 9, adding fresh momentum to people-to-people exchanges and economic cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing.

Also Read: India, China to resume direct flights by October end; IndiGo first to reconnect with mainland

According to China Eastern, the service will run three times a week — on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

“The flight from Delhi, MU564, will depart at 7.55 pm arriving in Shanghai at 4.10 am the following day. Flight MU563 from Shanghai Pudong International Airport will depart at 12.50 pm and arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, at 5.45 pm local time. Tickets for the route are now available for sale,” the airline said in a statement.

The Shanghai–Delhi connection is considered one of the most significant air links between India and China, connecting their key commercial and cultural centers. Its revival marks the complete restoration of China Eastern Airlines’ operations in India, signaling a gradual normalization of post-pandemic travel and business exchanges between the two Asian powers.