In a significant development for bilateral relations, India and China have resumed direct flights after a five-year suspension. The first flight, IndiGo 6E1703, departed from Kolkata and landed in Guangzhou, China, early Sunday morning, marking the official restart of nonstop air links that were halted in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. This move is seen as a symbolic step toward rebuilding ties between the two Asian giants, who remain strategic rivals but have gradually eased tensions since a deadly border clash in 2020. The resumption of flights is expected to enhance people-to-people contact and normalize bilateral exchanges, according to the Indian government. The decision comes amid strained relations between India and the United States, following President Donald Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs and accusations that India is supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing its oil. Regular flights between India and Hong Kong have already been operational, with additional services from New Delhi to Shanghai and Guangzhou set to begin in November. Business leaders, such as Rajeev Singh of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata, have hailed the move, emphasizing its potential to reduce logistics costs and transit times. Kolkata, with its historical ties to China dating back to British rule, stands to benefit significantly from the renewed air connectivity. The city’s Indo-Chinese culinary fusion remains a testament to its cultural links with China. Civil society leaders in Kolkata’s Chinatown, like Chen Khoi Kui, have welcomed the development, noting its positive impact on trade, tourism, and family reunions. Despite the thaw, India faces a long-term challenge in managing its relationship with an increasingly assertive China. The two nations continue to grapple with a significant trade imbalance, with India heavily reliant on Chinese raw materials. While recent diplomatic engagements, including meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping, have improved relations, fundamental strategic realities remain unchanged. The resumption of flights is a step forward, but the path to full normalization of ties is fraught with complexities.