It was the latest thaw in relations between the two countries, whose troops were involved in deadly skirmishes high in the Himalayas in 2020.

China and India have agreed to resume direct commercial flights, in the latest sign of an easing of tensions between the world’s two most populous countries.

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years and work on resolving differences over trade and economic issues, New Delhi said, as relations continue to thaw after a deadly 2020 border clash.

India and China agreed in principle on Monday to resume direct flights between the two nations, nearly five years after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent political tensions halted them.

Mainland China and India have not been connected by direct passenger flights for almost five years. But relations between Beijing and New Delhi have started to thaw after several high-level meetings.

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services between the two countries, New Delhi said in a statement on Monday after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Beijing.

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years, India's foreign ministry said on Monday (Jan 27), signalling a thaw in relations between the neighbours after a deadly 2020 military clash on their disputed Himalayan border.