The resumption of direct flights between India and China, after a five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, is a significant but limited step toward rebuilding trust between the two Asian giants, according to Sudheendra Kulkarni, a former aide to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Kulkarni emphasized that this development should be expanded into broader economic, cultural, and educational exchanges to foster deeper bilateral relations. He suggested increasing the number of direct flights to 100 across 20 cities in both countries to normalize people-to-people interactions, which have lagged behind trade and diplomatic ties. This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India, with civilizational ties spanning over two millennia. Kulkarni stressed that renewed people-to-people relations are not just symbolic but strategic, as trust is the foundation of enduring bilateral relationships. However, opportunities for engagement have been limited in recent years, with India banning 59 Chinese mobile apps, including WeChat, and restricting channels for Indians to learn about China. Kulkarni urged India to ease visa rules for Chinese scholars, entrepreneurs, and tourists, highlighting the importance of cross-border learning in rebuilding trust. Despite the absence of direct flights and the suspension of tourist visas for Chinese nationals, bilateral trade has remained resilient, reaching $138.5 billion last year, a 1.7% increase year-on-year. Kulkarni, a veteran advocate of India-China friendship and founder of the Forum for a New South Asia, has visited China over two dozen times and is currently writing a book on China’s success in eradicating extreme poverty. He also praised China’s Global Governance Initiative, along with its global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, as frameworks for a more democratic and inclusive multipolar world order. Kulkarni called for closer cooperation between India and China, emphasizing their shared responsibility as leading voices of the Global South to promote peace, stability, progress, and prosperity globally. Reflecting on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), he noted its focus on self-reliance and international engagement, particularly in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and aerospace.