India, China set to restart direct flights in September Amid Diplomatic Reset

India and China, the world’s two most populous nations, are set to restore direct passenger flights next month to reset strained political and diplomatic ties.

Indian airlines have been instructed by the government to ready flight operations to China on short notice, with a formal announcement potentially coming during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin at the end of August, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Officials requested anonymity as discussions are still underway and no final decision has been made.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, direct flights between the neighbouring countries have been suspended, forcing travellers to rely on indirect routes through hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore.

The renewed push to restore direct air links arrives amid rising tensions between India and the United States, after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

Relations between India and China suffered a severe blow in 2020 following deadly border clashes in the Himalayan region that claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese troops.

However, India recently eased restrictions by permitting tourist visas for Chinese nationals, signalling a thaw in diplomatic relations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin starting August 31, where a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping could further ease bilateral tensions.

Efforts to resume direct flights have seen fits and starts. Initial agreements were made in January, but stalled amid renewed conflict between India and Pakistan. Another announcement came in June, yet tangible progress remained elusive until recently.

Over the past two weeks, momentum has increased, with airlines including Air India and IndiGo — which previously operated flights to China — reportedly being briefed on the proposed resumption.

By Aghakazim Guliyev