In a significant development for India-China relations, the two nations have initiated talks on resuming direct flights and restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. These key discussions took place during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Rio de Janeiro on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
This meeting marks the first high-level engagement between India and China following the successful disengagement process in the contentious Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh. Both ministers acknowledged that the disengagement has contributed to peace and stability along the border.
Also read: US-China Ties in Focus: Biden, Xi Stress Collaboration at APEC
Direct flights between the two countries were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and have not resumed, despite the easing of restrictions. The Ladakh standoff, which began in May 2020, further strained ties. In June of the same year, a violent clash in Galwan resulted in the loss of 20 Indian soldiers, with unconfirmed casualties on the Chinese side.
The resolution of the standoff involved extensive military talks, and this recent dialogue signals a thaw in bilateral relations. Both nations aim to move forward by addressing key issues, including easing travel and cultural exchanges.