MUMBAI: India and China will restart direct flights this month, ending a suspension that has lasted since 2020 following deadly clashes on their Himalayan border.

India’s foreign ministry confirmed the decision, calling it a step toward “gradual normalisation of bilateral exchanges.”

The first service will be operated by IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, connecting Kolkata and Guangzhou starting 26 October.

Direct flights were halted after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which killed 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.

Ties between the two neighbours froze, but recent months have seen efforts to ease tensions through talks, religious pilgrimages, and limited trade arrangements.

In August, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping met during the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit, where both leaders pledged to work toward stabilising relations.

The resumption of flights is expected to boost travel, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.