India and China are preparing to resume direct flights as early as next month, marking a major shift in bilateral ties, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the talks. Air connectivity between the two nations has been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing travelers to route through hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.
The Indian government has reportedly asked airlines to stay ready for short-notice operations to China. An official announcement could come during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled in China at the end of August.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin on August 31, where he may hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
India-US Relations Hit New Low Amid Trade Tensions
This development comes at a time when India-US relations have deteriorated sharply after US President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as a penalty for India purchasing Russian oil.
Meanwhile, Air India recently announced it will suspend its direct Washington flights due to “operational factors,” though routes to New York and San Francisco remain unaffected.
Airlines Likely to Resume Routes
According to reports, Indian Airlines Air India, and IndiGo are the top contenders to restart direct flights to China once final approvals are granted.
