After 5 years of no connectivity, India and China to resume direct flights as early as next month
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India and China are preparing to restart direct passenger flights as early as next month, a Bloomberg report said citing sources familiar with the talks. This move aims to restore air connectivity between the two most populous nations, which has been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian airlines have been asked to stand ready for flights to China on short notice. An official announcement could come during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit at the end of August in China, the sources added.Direct flights between India and China stopped during the pandemic, forcing travelers to take indirect routes via hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore. The reopening of air routes comes amid shifting geopolitical ties. India's relations with the US have faced challenges recently after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods in response to India's purchase of Russian oil.Relations between India and China worsened in 2020 following border clashes that resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese troops. Recently, India eased restrictions on tourist visas for Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31, where he may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.Indian aviation authorities and major airlines such as Air India and IndiGo have been informed but have not commented publicly. The timeline for flight resumption remains uncertain, and negotiations could still face obstacles, the sources warned.Before flights were halted, Indian carriers including Air India and IndiGo operated routes to China alongside Chinese airlines like Air China and China Southern. The current plan is for Indian airlines to resume services soon.Earlier attempts to restart direct flights were made in January and June but stalled amid diplomatic tensions. Renewed progress has been made only in the last two weeks, with airlines now being briefed on the plans.
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