As the two most populous nations in the world attempt to reestablish their political relations, India and China are expected to start operating direct flights again as early as next month, according to persons involved with the discussions.
According to people who asked not to be named because the negotiations are still ongoing, the government of India has asked airlines to quickly prepare flights to China, with an official announcement potentially coming as soon as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China at the end of August.
Following the Covid-19 outbreak, passenger flights between China and India were halted, forcing visitors from the two nearby nations to use hubs like Singapore or Hong Kong. The latest drive to restore a direct connection coincides with a period of significant pressure on India-US ties following US President Donald Trump’s decision to quadruple tariffs on Indian imports to 50% as retaliation for its purchases of Russian oil.
When border conflicts in 2020 claimed the lives of 20 Indian warriors and an undetermined number of Chinese soldiers, diplomatic relations between the two Asian superpowers reached a low point. After years of restrictions, India has granted Chinese nationals tourist visas.
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