Why There Are No Flights Between India and China

Summary

The video details the unprecedented suspension of direct flights between India and China since 2020, despite their close proximity and large populations. This isolation stems from a combination of the pandemic and rising tensions over a disputed border, particularly after a deadly clash in the Galwan Valley. Despite both nations’ economic interests and China's eagerness to resume normal travel, India has imposed restrictions on Chinese companies and travelers, viewing the situation as leverage to address border disputes. This prolonged stalemate reflects deeper geopolitical and economic shifts between the two powers.

Takeaways

• ✈️ As of September 6th, 2024, there have been no direct commercial flights between India and mainland China for 1,631 days due to geopolitical tensions.
• 🌏 India and China, despite being the two most populous nations, are among the only countries in a 3,000-mile radius of Beijing without direct flights.
• 🗺️ The primary cause of the halted flights stems from the disputed border between India and China, split into three contentious sections: Eastern, Middle, and Western.
• 🛑 A deadly clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 between Indian and Chinese soldiers, involving stone-age weapons, marked a significant turning point in their relations.
• 🚫 Following the 2020 conflict, India imposed restrictions on Chinese companies, apps, and travel, while China fortified its border, worsening their diplomatic relations.
• 📉 China's economic momentum is slowing, with reduced air travel and spending, while India experiences a travel boom and infrastructure growth.
• 🔒 Despite both nations lifting international travel bans post-pandemic, India and China have not resumed direct flights due to unresolved border disputes.
• ⚔️ Tensions remain high along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), with frequent military encounters and no demilitarized buffer zone, increasing the risk of further conflict.
• 🛠️ Any potential resolution will require significant diplomatic efforts and creative problem-solving, as both sides maintain differing priorities on border negotiations and resuming normal relations.
• 📈 India’s growing population and economic momentum position it as an emerging global player, contrasting with China's current economic challenges and declining population growth.

Q & A

Why was China Eastern Flight 564 significant in March 2020?

It was the last flight between India and mainland China for over four years, marking a significant halt in direct travel between the two countries due to escalating tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

How many days have passed without a direct flight between India and mainland China as of September 6, 2024?

As of September 6, 2024, it has been 1,631 days since the last direct flight between India and mainland China.

What was the state of the Sino-Indian relationship before the 2020 incident?

Before the 2020 incident, the relationship was acrimonious but with moments of optimism. In October 2019, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi met in person, promising to elevate their relationship, though underlying tensions remained.

What is the significance of the Galwan Valley in the Sino-Indian conflict?

The Galwan Valley is in the disputed western section of the Sino-Indian border, where Indian and Chinese troops clashed in June 2020. The deadly confrontation marked the first in 45 years, escalating tensions between the two nations.

Why are direct flights between India and China still suspended despite both countries reopening international travel?

The suspension continues due to unresolved border tensions, particularly the 2020 Galwan Valley incident. India and China are at odds over which issue to address first — flights or the border dispute.

Why is Aksai Chin considered strategically important despite its inhospitable conditions?

Aksai Chin is strategically important because it contains a road that connects the Chinese provinces of Xinjiang and Tibet, allowing China to quickly reinforce its border.

What was the impact of the 2020 Galwan Valley clash on India’s actions toward Chinese companies?

India retaliated by banning Chinese apps, including TikTok, imposing new rules on Chinese companies, and restricting Chinese firms from its networks. India also made it nearly impossible for Chinese citizens to obtain visas.

What economic shift has taken place between India and China in recent years?

China’s economy, once synonymous with boundless growth, is now slowing, while India’s economy is growing, especially in travel infrastructure. India has experienced a travel boom and is rapidly expanding its airports and infrastructure.

Why does the border dispute between India and China remain unresolved?

Both countries have different priorities in resolving the issue. China wants to resume flights and improve relations, while India insists on resolving the border dispute first before restoring normal diplomatic and travel ties.

What makes the disputed areas along the Sino-Indian border prone to conflict?

The lack of a demilitarized buffer zone and overlapping interpretations of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) mean both sides feel compelled to patrol these regions to assert claims, leading to inevitable conflicts.