BTN News: Frayed ties between India and China after a conflict killed 20 Indian soldiers on their frontier last year have dented hopes for the resumption of direct passenger flights to connect the world’s two most populous nations. India is also wary of the warmer ties and relates them to resolving border disputes that have long hindered more extensive linking of transit trades between the two countries. This article dives into these complexities of this diplomatic standoff and what it means for the two countries.
Attempts to resume direct passenger flights between India and China are fraught with challenges due to continued strains in bilateral ties on contentious issues such as territorial disputes. Relations have been frayed since a lethal military clash in 2020 just left dead on the two sides. In the aftermath, India had tightened restrictions on Chinese investments, prohibited use of popular apps and suspended civil aviation while cargo routes remained open.
But it is urging India to re-open its direct flights with China as that will be crucial for the economic recovery of both countries after COVID19. While for the broader bilateral engagement to move forward the situation at the border must first stabilise, Indian authorities say.
China’s Foreign Ministry said resuming direct flights would be good for both countries and showed a mutual desire to increase connectivity. Earlier, Indian officials emphasise that peace at the border was a necessary precondition for normalising other aspects of the relationship.
Airlines will be in talks with their governments to restart direct routings, while the aviation sector links New Delhi and Chinese carriers engage each other. Speaking on behalf of Indigo, India’s largest airline, its CEO Pieter Elbers referred to continued talks in order to solve logistical issues.
In the course of these exercises, China has voiced anxieties about Indian scrutiny deals with its companies that will have to be extracted to rebuild confidence. Xiaomi, a leading Chinese smartphone maker, added the importance of “confidence-building” measures against regulatory risks.
Neither government would officially acknowledge the status of negotiations, highlighting the sensitivity of the diplomatic atmosphere in today’s world. While diplomatic wrangling goes on, the aviation industry is watching for a major development that could open the door to wider economic rapprochement.
The direct flight standoff between India, and China exemplifies the delicate power play at work between economic and strategic interests While continuing to explore their intricate relationship with each other, the two countries must solve border issues as a key to unlocking potential economic returns. The outcome of difficult negotiations to get back to live-fire testing is not only a weather vane to how the relationship will develop but also to changing regional dynamics in the post-pandemic era.
