Foreign media, quoting informed sources, report that India and China may resume direct flights as early as September, as the two countries are seeking to reset their political relations.
Sources reveal that the Indian government has requested Indian airlines to prepare flights to China as soon as possible, and an official announcement may be made at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in China at the end of August.
After the outbreak of COVID-19, passenger flights between India and China were suspended, forcing travelers from both countries to transit through hubs such as Hong Kong or Singapore. Efforts to restart direct flights come at a time when India's relationship with the United States is under significant pressure. Previously, US President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50% as punishment for India purchasing Russian oil.
On the 11th, Air India announced that it would suspend direct flights to Washington, D.C. next month due to "operational reasons." Air India still operates flights to New York and San Francisco.
In 2020, diplomatic relations between China and India hit a low point, when a border clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian armed personnel and an undisclosed number of Chinese soldiers. Recently, India announced it would allow Chinese citizens to apply for tourist visas after years of restrictions. Indian Prime Minister Modi will attend the SCO Summit in Tianjin on August 31, where he may meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Informed sources caution that the specific timing for India and China to resume flights remains uncertain, and negotiations may still face obstacles.