India-China direct flights to resume soon? What transpired at Misri-Sun meeting

India and China have agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

 

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong in New Delhi and the two sides agreed to continue to "stabilise and rebuild ties" with priority on people-centric engagements, the ministry said.

 

Sun is on a two-day visit to India.

 

‘The two sides agreed to expedite steps involved in resuming direct air services between the two countries. Foreign Secretary hoped for the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement,” the MEA said.

 

Both New Delhi and Beijing further agreed to take practical steps for visa facilitation and exchanges between media and think-tanks.

 

During the meeting, Misri appreciated the Chinese side’s cooperation for the resumption of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra this year.

 

He noted the discussion in the April meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism for cooperation in trans-border rivers for the resumption of the provision of hydrological data and other cooperation, and hoped for progress on them, the MEA said.

 

“The two sides positively assessed the activities planned under the 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China and agreed to facilitate the same,” said the ministry.

 

Both India and China also agreed to hold certain functional dialogues including in the economic and trade areas to discuss and resolve specific issues of concern.

 

During his visit, Sun also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

 

He expressed sympathy and condolences to the Indian side over the air crash in Gujarat on June 12.

India