Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 29: India is in talks with China over the use of its airspace in the Xinjiang region by Indian commercial airlines to reduce flying time and costs for flights to western countries amid the continued closure of Pakistani airspace, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Tuesday.

"We are looking at other alternatives. Discussion on the Hotan route in China is going on between the two countries. Our External Affairs Ministry is engaging with the country. Let us see how it goes, but we are trying alternatives," Naidu told journalists.

The proposed route through Hotan in southwestern Xinjiang could provide an alternative for Indian flights currently required to take longer routes to avoid Pakistani airspace. Reports said discussions on the route have been underway for more than a year. 

The development comes days after Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

Ahead of Xi's visit to Delhi, China Southern Airlines announced that it would resume direct flights between Guangzhou and New Delhi from September 21, restoring a route that had been suspended for six years.

The resumption was part of the broader restoration of direct air links between India and China following disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent tensions along the India-China border.

China Southern said it would operate more than 100 weekly flights across eight round-trip routes in South Asia, strengthening connectivity between China and the region.

IndiGo was the first Indian airline to resume direct India-China connectivity. It restarted flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou in October 2025, followed by services between Delhi and Guangzhou in November.

Air India resumed direct flights between Delhi and Shanghai on February 1, ending a nearly six-year gap in services to mainland China. The airline initially operated four flights a week and increased the frequency to five flights a week from March 29.

The renewed air connectivity has come against the backdrop of broader diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Beijing.

Pakistan has extended its restrictions on Indian aircraft using its airspace until October 24, according to a Notice to Airmen issued by the Pakistan Airports Authority. The restriction covers Indian-registered aircraft as well as aircraft operated, owned or leased by Indian airlines and operators, including military flights.

The continued restriction has prompted Indian airlines and authorities to explore alternative routes for flights to Europe, North America and other western destinations, with the proposed Hotan corridor among the options being discussed.