Air India to halt Delhi–Washington non-stop flights from September 1 amid fleet retrofit, airspace restrictions
Passengers booked on the Delhi–Washington route beyond September 1 will be contacted for rebooking on other services or offered full refunds. Air India will continue to offer one-stop connections to Washington via New York, Newark, Chicago, and San Francisco through partnerships with Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines. Non-stop flights will remain operational between India and six other North American cities, including Toronto and Vancouver. Last week, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson reiterated that international operations will be fully restored by October 1, 2025, following a phased resumption that began on August 1. This comes after a voluntary 'Safety Pause' introduced in June for additional inspections following the AI171 accident. Wilson told Maharaja Club members that comprehensive checks on Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 737 aircraft—supervised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation—found no issues. 'We continue to work closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency and ensuring that every action we take aligns with the highest standards of safety and care,' he said. The 'Safety Pause' allowed the airline to accelerate reliability upgrades and refine delay management processes. Air India's safety systems comply with DGCA and International Civil Aviation Organisation standards, with regular audits by both DGCA and IATA. Post-privatisation, the airline has also engaged Oliver Wyman/CAVOK for a full safety review and Boeing for operational efficiency improvements. Wilson acknowledged recent operational disruptions but assured passengers that corrective actions are in progress and that the retrofit programme is on schedule. 'So, whenever you choose to fly with Air India, know that your trust is valued and your journey safeguarded by our entire Air India family,' he added.
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India-China Thaw Or Tactical Pause? Breaking Down The Latest Signals
For years, India and China have been locked in a frosty standoff. Now, subtle but significant signals suggest that the ground may be shifting For years, India and China have been locked in a frosty standoff, marked by deadly clashes, frozen travel links, and hardening positions along contested borders. Now, subtle but significant signals suggest that the ground may be shifting. In recent weeks, a flurry of developments has hinted at a possible thaw, stirring questions about whether the two Asian giants are recalibrating their relationship. The change comes after a prolonged period of mistrust that began well before the Galwan Valley clash of 2020 but deepened in its aftermath. Today, amid a turbulent global landscape and shifting power equations, both sides appear to be testing the waters for renewed engagement. What is driving this moment, and how far might it go? The answers lie in a mix of diplomacy, trade, and geopolitics, and in the challenges that still stand in the way. 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In what Bloomberg calls the first such shipment in over three years, an Indian diesel cargo is headed to China. The EM Zenith left Nayara Energy's Vadinar terminal on 18 July with about 496,000 barrels of ultra-low sulphur diesel. The voyage has been anything but straightforward. Initially bound for Malaysia, the tanker reversed course in the Strait of Malacca and anchored for nearly two weeks after the European Union announced fresh sanctions on the Rosneft-backed refinery. It has now updated its destination to Zhoushan, China. The diversion to China coincides with other recent developments in trade and diplomacy between the two neighbours. China Relaxes Urea Export Curbs For India In another trade signal, Bloomberg reported that Beijing has lifted restrictions on urea shipments to India, potentially allowing purchases of up to 300,000 tonnes. India is the world's largest importer of the nitrogen-based crop nutrient, and in 2023 nearly half of China's urea exports went to India. Beijing had halted urea sales entirely last year and, while partially lifting the ban in June, kept restrictions on India until now. India imported about 5.7 million tonnes of urea in the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025, nearly 20 per cent less than the previous year. Purchases from China fell sharply from 1.87 million tonnes in 2023–24 to around 100,000 tonnes in 2024–25. While the planned 300,000 tonnes is modest, it could ease global supply pressures and help lower prices. Tourist Visas, Pilgrimage Routes Resume The diplomatic thaw has been matched by a resumption of people-to-people links. On 24 July, India resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens after a five-year gap, and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has also restarted. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had hinted at a revival of business relations, noting, 'How far it will go is something we will have to wait and see." These steps follow an October 2024 agreement on patrolling arrangements and troop disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which restored Indian troops' ability to access key points and allowed herders to resume grazing in disputed areas. Trump's Trade War: A Common Catalyst Observers point to US President Donald Trump's tariff policies as a factor nudging India and China closer. Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent over Russian oil purchases, while extending a tariff truce with Beijing for 90 days to stave off triple-digit duties on Chinese imports. When the India tariffs were announced, the Chinese Embassy in Delhi voiced support for India's sovereignty, calling it 'non-negotiable," and posted an illustration of an elephant, representing India, facing a baseball bat labelled US tariffs. 'India's sovereignty is non-negotiable and its foreign policy choices cannot be manipulated by other countries, no matter how significant their own ties with India are."—-Quoted from @the_hindu — Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) August 6, 2025 Foreign Policy has reported that Washington may be moving closer to both Beijing and Islamabad in a bid to pull Pakistan away from China. New Delhi's outreach to Beijing has been viewed by some analysts as a way to mitigate any fallout from a US–Pakistan reset. In Beijing, there is suspicion that US overtures to Pakistan might aim to disrupt the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor or gather intelligence on Chinese weapons used by Pakistan. As Biswajit Dhar of the Council for Social Development told the South China Morning Post, 'I think [Trump] has pushed India and China closer together," noting that US protectionism is a shared concern for both capitals. Border Disputes, Pakistan Ties Continue To Strain Relations Even as diplomatic and trade links show signs of revival, several core disputes continue to weigh on India–China relations. The LAC dispute remains unresolved. China's longstanding defence and strategic partnership with Pakistan also remains a major concern for India. The two describe their ties as an 'all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," which extends to military technology and nuclear cooperation. This was evident during Operation Sindoor, when Pakistan deployed Chinese-origin fighter jets, PL-15 air-to-air missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Infrastructure projects in contested or sensitive regions add to the mistrust. Beijing's construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra once it enters India, has heightened water security concerns. In parallel, China is expected to begin work this year on a railway line linking Hotan in Xinjiang to Shigatse in Tibet. The planned route is likely to pass through Aksai Chin, a territory claimed by India but controlled by China, and run close to the G219 highway near the LAC. Why Both Sides May Push Ahead top videos View all Even with the unresolved disputes, the incentives for cooperation are clear. As Dominic Rohner of the Geneva Graduate Institute told the South China Morning Post, 'There are clear incentives to increase bilateral ties, yielding both economic and political benefits. While it is difficult to forecast what will happen, it is in these countries' interest to foster ties." With flights, fuel and fertiliser trade, visas, and pilgrimages resuming, and a Modi–Xi meeting expected later this month, the next phase of engagement will be closely watched by both sides to assess whether cooperation expands beyond the steps announced so far. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : India-China ties Narendra Modi Xi Jinping view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 13, 2025, 14:54 IST News explainers India-China Thaw Or Tactical Pause? Breaking Down The Latest Signals Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 hours ago
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Pakistans trade deficit soars 44 pc in July, raising economic concerns
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Resuming flights, visas and more… Are India and China inching toward an all-out thaw?
Trump tariffs and geopolitics are pushing India and China closer. But will this result in a complete reconciliation between the two Asian giants? There are signs Indian school students pose with their faces painted with India's (R) and China's national flags. Relations between the two countries are on the mend. File image/AFP The world is in a constant flux. Nations that were once friends turn foe, foes become friends — and China and India aren't immune from this. After years of bickering and contestation, they are now exploring yet another round of engagement. At least, the recent steps taken by the two countries indicate a thaw in ties. The most recent of these being India and China set to resume direct flights as soon as September, with the formal announcement to come around the time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the neighbour at the end of August. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We take a closer look at all the indicators that signal an all-out thaw and if this current rapprochement is merely opportunistic and temporary? India-China flights to resume soon On Tuesday evening (August 12) came the news that India and China are preparing to restart direct passenger flights as early as next month. News agency Reuters said that the Indian government has asked carriers such as Air India and IndiGo to be ready to operate flights to China at short notice. Even Bloomberg reporting the same said that a formal announcement on the same would be made when Prime Minister Modi travels to China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at the end of August. Air China planes sit on the tarmac at Beijing Airport in Beijing, China. File image/AP Passenger flights between the two neighbouring countries were suspended after the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing travellers from India to China to pass through hubs like through Hong Kong or Singapore. Before the suspension, India airlines such as Air India and IndiGo as well as Chinese airlines such as Air China, China Southern and China eastern ran services between the key cities of both countries. Interestingly, this isn't the first time that India and China have attempted to restart direct flights. Such an endeavour was made in January as well as June, but stalled owing to diplomatic tensions. Signs of an all-out thaw between India and China The resuming of flights is just another indicator that India and China ties are back on following the Galwan clash of 2020. In a first since 2021, a cargo of Indian diesel is also heading to China. According to a Bloomberg report, a vessel sailed from the Nayara's Vadinar terminal with about 496,000 barrels of ultra-low sulphur diesel on July 18. Moreover, earlier this month, it was announced that PM Modi would be attending the SCO summit in China's northern city of Tianjin between August 31 and September 1. The trip would be Modi's first to China in seven years and pave the way for him to meet President Xi Jinping for the first time since they came face to face in Russia 10 months ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD PM Modi and China's Xi Jinping are expected to meet at the SCO summit later this month. File image/AP But that's not all. When US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil, China expressed its support for New Delhi, saying, 'India's sovereignty is non-negotiable and its foreign policy choices cannot be manipulated by other countries, no matter how significant their own ties with India are.' The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India also attached an illustration showing an elephant, representing India, and a baseball bat, representing the US tariff. 'India's sovereignty is non-negotiable and its foreign policy choices cannot be manipulated by other countries, no matter how significant their own ties with India are.'----Quoted from @the_hindu — Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) August 6, 2025 There's also the fact that India has resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24, following a five-year gap. Additionally, India and China have resumed the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. The diplomatic thaw is also feeding economic hopes. In the last week of July, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hinted a possible revival of India-China business relations, saying, 'How far it will go is something we will have to wait and see.' But all of this only occurred after India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control last October. The two nations agreed upon a border plan — the Indian Army has secured the ability to patrol key points along the border, and Indian herders were able to resume grazing. Last October, India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements and disengagement of troops along the Line of Actual Control. File image/AFP The Trump factor But what has motivated India and China's rapprochement? The answer would be US President Donald Trump and geopolitics, especially the belief in New Delhi that Washington has shifted its position on Pakistan. As a report by Foreign Policy noted that the Trump administration may be simultaneously moving closer to Beijing and Islamabad in order to peel Pakistan away from China. New Delhi, in turn, hopes that with its own pivot to China, it can exploit the first of these trends while preempting any negative fallout from the second. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even within the Chinese camp there's a suspicion over the Washington-Islamabad proximity. Questions are being asked if Washington is trying to disrupt the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor or gain information on the efficacy of Chinese weapon systems in Pakistan's arsenal. US President Donald Trump's tariff stance could dramatically change ties between India and China. File image/AFP The fact that Trump has been going hard on India with its heavy tariffs has also led India to do a rethink on its ties with Washington. Trump has slapped a total tariff of 50 per cent on Indian goods, while the US president on Monday (August 11) extending the tariff truce with Beijing for another 90 days, staving off triple-digit duties on Chinese goods. Even Biswajit Dhar, an economics professor at the Council for Social Development in Delhi, told South China Morning Post, 'I think he has pushed India and China closer together,' adding that US protectionism was a common concern for both Delhi and Beijing. Challenges remain But this rapprochement between India and China is fraught with complications. There still remains unresolved issues at the LAC. Additionally, China's close relations with India's arch-rival Pakistan have been a source of concern for Delhi. China and Pakistan describe each other as 'all-weather strategic cooperative partners' with an ''ironclad'' friendship between them. This friendship extends to the military and nuclear domain – which India has repeatedly flagged. In fact, Operation Sindoor saw Pakistan use several Chinese weapons — Islamabad used Chinese-origin fighter jets, Chinese PL-15 missiles, and drones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While India and China are pushing forward together, there are obstacles in their way. File image/PTI There's also China's construction of a mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which becomes the Brahmaputra upon reaching India, that has stoked anxieties in Delhi about water security. And this year, Beijing is also expected to begin work on a railway line linking Hotan in Xinjiang to Shigatse in Tibet this year. The artery is likely to cross from Aksai Chin and close to the G219 national highway, near the Line of Actual Control. But as Dominic Rohner, an economics professor at the Geneva Graduate Institute and co-director of its Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability, noted to the South China Morning Post that the motivation for rapprochement was obvious. 'There are clear incentives to increase bilateral ties, yielding both economic and political benefits,' he said. 'While it is difficult to forecast what will happen, it is in these countries' interest to foster ties.' With inputs from agencies
