BRICS 2026: Guangzhou-New Delhi flights to resume after six years ahead of Xi-Modi meeting

China Southern Airlines is set to restart direct passenger flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi, bringing back a route that has remained suspended for six years. The announcement comes just as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in India for the 18th BRICS Summit and prepares to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The airline said on Saturday that regular services on the Guangzhou-New Delhi route will resume from September 21, according to Global Times. With the addition of the route, China Southern Airlines will operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes connecting China with South Asia.

India-China air links gradually return

The revival of the Guangzhou-Delhi service is the latest step in the gradual restoration of direct air connectivity between India and China.

Air India restarted flights between New Delhi and China in February 2026, almost six years after services were suspended. In April, Air China brought back its Beijing-Delhi service, further expanding direct connections between the two countries.

China Eastern Airlines had earlier resumed flights between Kunming and Kolkata on April 18. IndiGo also launched a daily nonstop Kolkata-Shanghai service on March 30, adding to its China operations. The airline had previously restarted flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou before expanding its China network with services from Delhi.

The renewed air links come amid efforts by India and China to improve ties following years of strained relations.

Xi-Modi meeting in focus

Xi Jinping is visiting India at Modi's invitation to attend the BRICS summit. He is expected to arrive in New Delhi at 12.25 IST, with a bilateral meeting with Modi scheduled for 5.45 pm on Saturday.

This is Xi's first visit to India since the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops, which sharply affected bilateral relations.

Relations have since shown signs of improvement, with Modi and Xi meeting in Kazan and later in Tianjin.

Xi's delegation includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.