China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi has expressed the country's desire to restart direct flights with India as tensions between the two nations begin to ease. This comes after a long period of strained relations due to border disputes that had been unresolved for four years.

“We should aim to make real progress in resuming direct flights, sending journalists, and easing visa processes as soon as possible,” Wang said during a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in Rio de Janeiro on Monday. Both ministers are in Brazil for the G20 Summit, accompanying their national leaders.

Wang’s remarks reflect China’s renewed push to normalize its relationship with India, which had been tense due to a border standoff. In June 2020, clashes resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, while China also suffered casualties, leading to military build-up, the suspension of direct flights, and delays in visa approvals.

However, recent efforts to improve relations gained momentum following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October. The two leaders reached an agreement to resolve the border conflict.

"China’s and India’s common interests far outweigh their differences," Wang told Jaishankar. "The two sides should view each other’s development as an opportunity."

As aviation experts and travelers from both India and China closely monitor these developments, the potential resumption of direct flights holds significant promise for both nations. Reopening air travel could be a major step forward in strengthening bilateral ties, offering a chance to enhance tourism, facilitate trade, and promote people-to-people connections. Beyond economic benefits, it also presents an opportunity to rebuild trust and foster greater cooperation between these two influential Asian powers. The restoration of direct flights could serve as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, signaling a shift towards more stable relations. With both countries playing crucial roles in the global economy and regional security, this move could pave the way for further diplomatic engagement, setting the stage for deeper collaboration in various sectors, from technology to cultural exchange.

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