Beijing: IndiGo airline has launched a daily flight from Shanghai to Kolkata. This new route enhances air travel between India and China and was inaugurated by Pratik Mathur, the Indian Consulate General in Shanghai.
Mathur highlighted the significance of this development. It reflects the renewed economic ties and increased confidence between the two nations. The growing air connectivity is a positive sign for bilateral relations. Kolkata now joins New Delhi as another Indian city directly connected to Shanghai.
Air China is also set to start a direct flight between Beijing and New Delhi on April 21. This expanded flight network is expected to benefit India’s northeast region, enhancing trade and tourism.
Historically, Kolkata and Shanghai share deep cultural ties. Notably, Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore visited Shanghai multiple times in the early 20th century, strengthening the bond between these cities. The new flight schedule is likely to encourage more interactions between people from eastern India and eastern China.
Since October last year, flights between India and China resumed after a lengthy hiatus due to various geopolitical tensions. IndiGo operates flights from Kolkata to Guangzhou as well as New Delhi to Guangzhou. Additionally, Chinese airline China Eastern has restarted its flights from Shanghai to Delhi.
The normalization of relations between India and China has gained momentum, marked by recent summits between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. In July, India even resumed tourist visas for Chinese nationals, further smoothing the path for travel.
According to recent statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), international air travel demand surged by over 60% in 2022 compared to the previous year, illustrating a global recovery. Increased connectivity, such as the opening of new flight routes, is essential to sustaining this momentum for both tourism and business exchanges.
These developments mark a new chapter in India-China relations, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in fostering strong ties.
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