India, China agree to accelerate steps involved in resuming direct air services

According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, 2025

India and China have agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries. The agreement was arrived at during a meeting between Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and Chinese vice foreign minister Sun Weidong, who is visiting India on June 12 and 13.

According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, both sides reviewed the developments in India-China bilateral relations since their last meeting in Beijing on January 27, 2025. They agreed to continue to stabilise and rebuild ties with a focus on people-centric engagements.

The foreign secretary appreciated the Chinese side’s cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year. He also referred to the discussions during the April 2025 meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers for resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on them.

“Foreign secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement. The two sides further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks,” the MEA statement added.

They also positively assessed the activities planned to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same, the MEA said.

They also agreed to hold certain functional dialogues including in the economic and trade areas to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern.