China and India agree to resume direct flights, enhance cooperation

China and India have agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and the South Asia nation, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. The decision was made during the China-India vice-foreign minister/foreign secretary-level dialogue held on Monday in Beijing between Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and his Indian counterpart Vikram Misri. The two sides agreed to take measures to facilitate personnel exchanges, as well as journalist's exchanges, continue cooperation on transborder rivers, and maintain communication on hosting a new round of meetings under the China-India expert-level mechanism.

In addition, both sides agreed to facilitate the resumption of visits by Indian pilgrims to sacred mountains and lakes in China's Xizang autonomous region, with negotiations on relevant arrangements set to begin soon.

India also pledged full support for China's rotating chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and committed to actively participate in the organization's activities.

The two neighbors agreed to enhance bilateral and multilateral interactions, strengthen strategic communication and foster political mutual understanding.

They also plan to jointly commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations through media exchanges, think tank collaborations, Track II dialogues and other people-to-people interactions.

China emphasized the need to guide public opinion positively, enhance mutual trust, reduce suspicion and properly manage differences, according to the statement.