In an early sign of resetting political ties, India and China may resume direct passenger flights as early as next month, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. Indian carriers have reportedly been asked to be ready to operate flights to China on short notice. According to the Bloomberg report, an official announcement on this decision is likely during the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China.
If the air halt is removed, it would end a suspension in place since the Covid-19 pandemic between the two most populous nations. The halting of direct services have forced travelers to take circuitous routes through hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore.
Relations between India and China hit the wall following the 2020 border clashes in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. At least 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives after a brawl with the Chinese soldiers in June that year. The Indian government said that both sides faced casualties but an official number on the deaths of Chinese soldiers was not released by Beijing.
However, there have been signs of gradual thaw, with India recently easing tourist visa restrictions for Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31. Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines is seen as a possibility.
According to the Bloomberg report, the resumption is expected to see Air India and IndiGo restart flights to China. Before the suspension, Indian airlines such as Air India and IndiGo, along with Chinese operators including Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern, operated services connecting key cities in both countries.
The renewed effort to restore direct connectivity comes amid strained India-US ties. The relations between New Delhi and Washington hit a low point following Donald Trump’s decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50% in retaliation for India’s purchases of Russian oil.