India-China will resume direct flights, finalize air services deal; Kailash Pilgrimage to grow from 2026

Divya Delhi: India and China have agreed to launch direct flights, mainly between the Chinese mainland and India, shortly. The meetings with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in India led to this conclusion. Both nations also agreed to finalize the Air Services Agreement. “Both sides agreed to resume direct flights between China and India as soon as possible and update the Air Services Agreement. The statement said they also agreed to facilitate visas for tourists, businesspeople, journalists, and other visitors in both directions. The Covid epidemic and Doklam crisis halted flights. Both sides agreed  to maintain and extend the Indian pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash/Gang Renpoche and Lake Manasarovar/Mapam Yun Tso in Tibet commencing in 2026. Sikkim Rajya Sabha MP DT Lepcha raised the issue of reopening the Nathula route for the yatra in Parliament, causing India and Sikkim to collaborate. The yatra's return to Nathula is anticipated to promote tourism, local businesses, and pilgrims' spirituality. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Wang Yi, a member of the CPC Central Committee's Political Bureau and Director of the Foreign Affairs Office, in the Prime Minister's Office in Delhi.