From Standoff to Takeoff: India, China Launch New Era of Travel and Friendship

In a historic development marking the beginning of a thaw in relations, India and China have agreed to take major steps to enhance people-to-people interactions, such as resuming direct air links and visa facilitation to each other's countries. The agreement was reached during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's high-profile trip to Beijing when he met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior leaders.

 

Key Highlights
Direct Flights to Resume: After a five-year break started by the pandemic and border confrontations, the two countries will soon resume direct air travel connecting major cities and opening new avenues to tourism and commerce.

 

Facilitating Travel: The two nations committed to streamlining visa facilitation and encouraging mutual visits with the aim of reviving healthy people-to-people contacts and culture-to-culture relations.

 

Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Returns: India embraced China's support towards the resumption of the holy Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, a pilgrimage route very dear to Indian travelers.

 

Border Peace & De-escalation: Both the ministers emphasized the requirement for peace and tranquility along the border, with ongoing efforts for resolving pending issues and de-escalation.

 

Trade & Economic Cooperation: India called for abolition of discriminatory trade practices and underlined the need for free, mutually beneficial economic dealings.

 

Anniversary Celebrations: The announcements are part of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations to be commemorated by a series of human-centered events and deliberations.

 

Regional & Global Dialogue: Regional dialogue also revolved around cooperation in trans-border rivers, sharing hydrological information, and cooperation during China's Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) presidency.

 

Ever since Prime Minister Modi's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Kazan last year, our bilateral ties have been strengthening day by day. Normalization of our relations can yield us mutually enriching outcomes," said EAM Jaishankar.

 

Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India; The Tribune; NDTV Profit; India TV News.