China Southern Airlines is set to resume its direct passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi on September 21, marking the end of a six-year suspension. This development coincides with Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in New Delhi on September 12, 2026, to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, signaling a cautious thaw in the often-strained relations between India and China.
The daily service is the latest step in a gradual restoration of direct air connectivity that was largely disrupted following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent border tensions, particularly after the 2020 Galwan clash. Other Chinese carriers have also moved to restore routes; Air China resumed its Beijing-Delhi service earlier this year, and China Eastern restarted direct flights between Kunming and Kolkata in April.
Easing Travel and Commercial Links
Beyond aviation, several critical areas reflect a broader opening between the two nations. Beijing has streamlined entry procedures for Indian business professionals and tourists by easing visa restrictions, including reduced processing fees and temporary waivers on biometric fingerprinting for short-term entries. India, in turn, has cautiously relaxed business visa processing for essential Chinese technical personnel, particularly benefiting manufacturing units in electronics and solar components reliant on maintaining supply chain operations.
Multilateral Dialogue and Bilateral Engagement
The focus of bilateral engagements has expanded beyond purely military-level border talks to encompass multilateral and trade discussions. Meetings held on the sidelines of regional platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the ongoing BRICS Summit have played a crucial role in anchoring political dialogue.
President Xi Jinping's visit marks his first to India in seven years, setting the stage for a critical bilateral engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam. Both leaders are expected to navigate the complex dynamics of their relationship as they pursue a cautious rapprochement after years of military confrontation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).