India, China Likely to Resume Direct Flights by September: Report
India and China are expected to resume direct flights as early as September, ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Tianjin for the SCO Summit, marking a potential thaw in bilateral ties.
India and China may restart direct flights next month as PM Modi prepares for the SCO Summit in Tianjin.
According to government officials cited by Bloomberg, direct commercial flights between China and India might resume as early as next month. Only a few weeks remain before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's planned trip to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit on August 28.
The Significance of This
Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, direct flights between the two nations have been halted since early 2020. Since then, travellers have had to pass through cities like Bangkok, Singapore, or Hong Kong, which has increased travel time and expense.
According to officials, local carriers such as Air India and IndiGo have been directed by India's civil aviation authorities to be prepared to conduct flights to China at short notice. Later this month, during or soon after the SCO Summit, an official announcement might be made.
PM Modi's First Trip to China in Many Years
PM Modi will visit China for the first time in a number of years for the SCO Summit. China, Russia, and Central Asian nations make up the regional bloc, which prioritises political cooperation, trade, and security. Modi is anticipated to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines, with direct discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping rumoured in order to restore stability to relations following the 2020 Ladakh clashes in the Galwan Valley, which caused significant strain.
Indications of a Relationship Thaw
It is believed that the potential return of flights is a component of larger diplomatic initiatives to reduce tensions. After years of restrictions, India started granting Chinese nationals tourist visas earlier this year. Additionally, the development coincides with a difficult period in India's trade relations with the United States, which recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil.
Airlines All Set to Take Off
Prior to the pandemic, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern ran the opposite routes, while Air India and IndiGo connected Chinese cities with Indian metros. After approvals are finalised, industry sources told Bloomberg that Air India and IndiGo are anticipated to be among the first to resume operations.
Timeline Still Uncertain
Officials caution that while talks have gained momentum in recent weeks—with airlines already briefed and preliminary route planning underway—the timeline could shift. Previous efforts to restart flights in January and June stalled due to renewed tensions.
