Tianjin: India and China will resume direct flights in a big step towards reconciliation, said PM Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin at SCO summit on Sunday.

This is a step forward towards improving the relations between the two countries on trade and other optics. The direct flights were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, prompting travellers to pass through Hong Kong or Singapore.

Both PM Modi and President Jinping have welcomed steady progress in their bilateral ties since they last met in Russia for the BRICS summit. They noted that they are partners, and not rivals, and that their differences should not turn into disputes.

PM Modi said about the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and tourist visas during their meeting. India and China had resumed the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Tibet earlier this year. Last month, India began issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. Both were suspended during the 2020 pandemic.

In as statement the two leaders said that the two countries should pursue strategic autonomy, and their relations should not be seen through a third country’s lens. The two leaders deemed it necessary to expand common ground on bilateral, regional, and global issues and challenges, like terrorism and fair trade in multilateral platforms.

China President Jinping said that India and China remain friends and good neighbours. He noted that both are important members of the Global South and should shoulder the responsibility of improving the well-being of the citizens of the two countries.

He further said that India and China should not let the border issue define the overall relationship and work together to maintain peace and tranquility. He emphasized that the two countries must handle their ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, and promotes a sustained, healthy, and stable development of their bilateral relations.

The improvement in ties with China could be helpful for both countries, the largest in the world in terms of population. While the Indian EV sector would benefit by offering room for the Chinese companies to grow, the Chinese economy would also get a boost from greater access to Indian markets.

Two countries have also agreed to reopen border trade following foreign minister-level talks earlier this month, which would help in diversifying trade at a time of severe tariff uncertainties. China has also assured India that it will address its need for rare earth minerals, fertilizers, and tunnel boring machines.