India - China flights resume: A small step in a long journey

When India and China decided to resume direct passenger flights after a hiatus of nearly five years, it may have seemed like a routine diplomatic gesture. But in the complex web of India - China relations, even a small step like this carries layers of meaning. It is a sign of cautious thawing, a symbolic reminder that despite the political frost, the world’s two most populous nations cannot afford to remain permanently estranged.

A long and uneasy history

India’s relationship with China has always oscillated between camaraderie and confrontation. At independence in 1947, the newly-born Indian state viewed China’s 1949 revolution with hope. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of Asian solidarity found its echo in slogans like Hindi-Chini Bhai-Bhai (“Indians and Chinese are brothers”). The 1954 Panchsheel Agreement, based on five principles of peaceful coexistence, embodied the spirit of non-alignment and mutual respect.

But optimism turned into disillusionment in 1962, when a brief yet brutal border war shattered trust. The conflict over the McMahon Line and Aksai Chin redrew not only the Himalayan landscape but also the mental map of Indian foreign policy. From that moment, China came to be viewed not as a partner in Asian resurgence but as a potential rival.

The decades that followed were marked by careful recalibration. Diplomatic relations were restored in 1976, and Rajiv Gandhi’s 1988 visit to Beijing began a new era of cautious engagement. Since then, both sides have signed a series of confidence-building measures to maintain peace along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC). Trade, too, became a major connecting thread—by the mid-2010s, China emerged as India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding $100 billion.

Yet, beneath the surface of economic pragmatism, tensions never truly disappeared. The Doklam standoff of 2017 and the Galwan Valley clashes of 2020 brought relations to their lowest point in decades. Trust, once broken, proved hard to rebuild.

The present moment: Pragmatism over passion

The resumption of flights in late 2025 should be seen through this pragmatic lens. With both nations seeking post-pandemic economic recovery and regional stability, restoring people-to-people connectivity makes sense. Air links are not just about tourism they facilitate student exchanges, business ties, and diplomatic dialogue.

For India, the timing is strategic. The government has pursued a multi-alignment policy strengthening ties with the United States, Japan, and ASEAN through the Quad, while still keeping channels open with Beijing. Total disengagement is neither realistic nor desirable. China remains a key player in global trade, supply chains, and climate negotiations. Maintaining basic engagement ensures India retains diplomatic leverage.

The case for friendly relations

Peaceful coexistence between India and China is not a matter of idealism but of necessity. Together, they house nearly one-third of humanity. Their economic cooperation could lift millions out of poverty and reshape Asia’s future. Issues like climate change, energy security, and regional connectivity demand collaboration rather than confrontation.

Historically, both civilizations have interacted through trade and culture long before borders became contentious. The Silk Road, the travels of Xuanzang, and the spread of Buddhism remind us that India and China once enriched each other intellectually and spiritually. Rekindling that spirit in modern diplomacy could anchor a more stable Asia.

Moreover, an open communication channel with Beijing helps New Delhi manage crises and reduce the chances of accidental escalation along the LAC. Diplomatic engagement also allows India to assert its positions firmly within frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS, rather than watching from the sidelines.

The need for strategic caution Friendliness should never be mistaken for naïveté. India’s approach toward China must balance engagement with vigilance. The lessons of 1962 and 2020 remain clear: dialogue must not compromise territorial security.

India should strengthen its border infrastructure to ensure Himalayan frontiers are well connected and defended. Simultaneously, it must reduce economic dependence on China, which dominates electronics and pharmaceutical imports, to build resilience. Deepening strategic cooperation with like-minded democracies through the Quad, Indo-Pacific partnerships, and exercises like Malabar is also essential, without projecting hostility. Equally important is enhancing information and cyber security. With digital threats rising, the next confrontation may occur in cyberspace. Building indigenous technological capabilities and robust cyber-defence systems is crucial.

Diplomacy as the first line of defence Asia’s future hinges on whether India and China choose competition or coexistence. While rivalry may be unavoidable, hostility is not. Diplomacy rooted in clarity and caution can keep tensions manageable. The resumption of flights between Delhi and Beijing is symbolic: despite disagreements, communication persists. Each flight carries not just passengers, but the hope that dialogue, however fragile, endures.

India must pursue strategic realism avoiding both confrontation and complacency. Rebuilding trust with China requires patience, clear limits, and consistent gestures, from dialogue to trade corridors, which collectively sustain peace.