India is in talks with China to use airspace over Xinjiang as an alternative route for Indian airlines, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed on Tuesday.

The discussions centre on routing flights over Hotan in Xinjiang to cut the longer flight times and higher costs caused by Pakistan’s continued airspace closure to Indian aircraft. The external affairs ministry is leading the engagement, and sources said the talks have been on for more than a year.

Pakistan extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft until October 24. The closure, in place since April 2025, has forced westbound flights onto longer, costlier detours.

The move follows the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi and a steady restoration of direct India-China air links. China Southern Airlines resumed Guangzhou-New Delhi flights on September 21, IndiGo restarted Kolkata-Guangzhou in October 2025, and Air India resumed Delhi-Shanghai on February 1. A Hotan corridor would need a bilateral overflight agreement.