India and China to Resume Direct Flights, Reopen Key Pilgrimage Route in Major Diplomatic Thaw

Key Takeaways

• Direct Flights to Resume: India and China will restart direct flight connectivity between the Chinese mainland and India “at the earliest,” ending a long suspension that began after the Doklam crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Kailash Yatra Reopens: The revered pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar through the Nathula Pass in Sikkim will resume in 2026, boosting spiritual tourism and local economies.

• High-Level Diplomacy: The agreements were reached during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India, which included a key meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 19.

• Focus on Cooperation and Border Management: PM Modi emphasized that India and China are “partners, not rivals” and called for prudent management of border issues to prevent differences from escalating into disputes.

NEW DELHI – India and China have reached a landmark agreement to restore direct air travel and reopen a crucial pilgrimage route, signaling a major breakthrough in diplomatic relations that have been strained for years. The decisions were announced following a pivotal visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India.

In a joint statement, both nations confirmed their commitment to restarting direct flights and facilitating smoother travel for citizens.

“Both sides agreed to resume direct flight connectivity between Chinese mainland and India at the earliest, and finalize an updated Air Services Agreement,” the statement read. “They also agreed on the facilitation of visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions.”

The resumption of flights is a significant development, as services have been suspended for several years following the 2017 Doklam military standoff and the subsequent global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move is expected to greatly benefit trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between the world’s two most populous nations.

Reopening a Sacred Route: The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

In another major outcome of the talks, the two countries have agreed to resume and expand the Indian pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Tibet, starting in 2026.

Crucially, this includes reopening the Nathula Pass route in Sikkim, a pathway that is significantly safer and more accessible for pilgrims compared to other routes. The issue was brought to the forefront by Sikkim Rajya Sabha MP, DT Lepcha, who had raised the matter in Parliament, leading to coordinated efforts between the central and state governments.

The reopening of the yatra through Nathula is not only a moment of spiritual significance for thousands of Hindu pilgrims but is also expected to provide a substantial boost to tourism and strengthen local economies all along the route.

High-Level Dialogue Sets the Stage for Cooperation

The recent agreements are the direct result of renewed high-level engagement. On August 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Wang Yi, a member of the powerful Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Delhi.

According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, PM Modi conveyed his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed his anticipation for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China. He affirmed that India would fully support China’s role as the rotating chair of the SCO to ensure the summit’s success.

Underscoring a shift in tone, PM Modi noted that the meeting between the two countries’ leaders in Kazan last October was a “turning point” in improving bilateral relations.

“India and China are partners, not rivals, and both face the common task of accelerating development,” the statement quoted PM Modi as saying. He stressed the need to “strengthen exchanges, enhance understanding, and expand cooperation.”

While highlighting the potential for a brighter future, PM Modi also addressed the long-standing complexities in the relationship, emphasizing that both sides should “prudently manage and handle border issues and prevent differences from becoming disputes.” This balanced approach acknowledges the challenges while firmly pushing for a cooperative path forward.