India Explores Chinese Airspace Route as Pakistan Extends Ban on Indian Flights

With Pakistan closing its airspace to Indian flights bound for Western countries, India is exploring alternative routes. As part of these efforts, New Delhi is holding discussions with China on the possibility of using its airspace. Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed this development.Pakistan has kept its airspace closed to Indian airlines since April 2025 and recently extended the restriction by another month. As a result, Indian airlines flying to Western countries have been forced to take longer routes, significantly increasing both travel time and operating costs.

Against this backdrop, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said India is focusing on using the Hotan route in China's Xinjiang region. “We are exploring other alternatives. Discussions are underway between the two countries regarding the Hotan route. Our External Affairs Ministry is in talks with Chinese officials on the matter. We will have to wait and see what the outcome will be, but we are making intensive efforts to find alternative routes,” he said.

Discussions on the Hotan route have been underway for the past year. The minister's remarks have gained significance as they came just days after Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS summit in New Delhi.Meanwhile, air connectivity between India and China is gradually improving. Airlines such as China Southern Airlines, IndiGo and Air India have already resumed flight services between the two countries.