India, China set to resume direct flights ‘as soon as next month': Report
Direct commercial flights between the two Asian nations have been suspended since early 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, travellers have had to transit through regional hubs such as Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok, significantly increasing travel time and costs.
According to Bloomberg report citing officials, India's civil aviation authorities have instructed domestic carriers, such as Air India and IndiGo to prepare flights to China at short notice.
An official announcement could be made during or shortly after the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin later this month, Bloomberg report adds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Tianjin, China, on 28 August to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, marking his first visit to the country in several years.
The SCO, a regional bloc focused on security, trade, and political cooperation, includes major powers such as China, Russia, and Central Asian states.
PM Modi's trip is expected to feature bilateral meetings on the sidelines, with speculation that he could hold direct talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid efforts to stabilise ties after years of strained relations following the 2020 border clashes in Ladakh.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
16 minutes ago
- First Post
India plans to open uranium sector to private players to boost nuclear expansion
The move aims to attract billions of dollars and support the country's ambitious goal to expand nuclear power capacity 12 fold by 2047 India is planning to open its uranium mining, import, and processing sector to private companies, ending a decades-long state monopoly, according to a Reuters report, citing government sources. This move aims to attract billions of dollars and support the country's ambitious goal to expand nuclear power capacity 12 fold by 2047. In April, Reuters had reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government is also planning to relax requirements to allow foreign players to take a minority stake in power plants. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Currently, India's government tightly controls uranium mining and processing due to concerns over nuclear material misuse, radiation safety, and strategic security. It will, however, continue to manage spent uranium reprocessing and plutonium waste handling, in line with international norms. To meet rising demand for nuclear fuel amid this expansion, the government is drafting a regulatory framework that would allow private Indian firms to participate in mining, importing, and processing uranium. The policy is expected to be announced within the current fiscal year, reported Reuters. In addition, private companies may be permitted to supply critical control system equipment for nuclear power plants, sources said. Globally, countries such as Canada, South Africa, and the United States already allow private firms to mine and process uranium. Domestic supply not enough According to government data, India has an estimated 76,000 tonnes of uranium — enough to power 10,000 megawatts of nuclear energy for 30 years. However, sources cautioned that domestic reserves would cover only about 25% of the fuel needed to support the country's planned nuclear expansion. The remaining demand would require imports, along with a significant boost to uranium processing capacity. In its February 1 budget announcement, the government revealed its intention to open up the nuclear sector, though it did not provide specifics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The move has since prompted several major Indian conglomerates to begin drafting investment plans. Still, experts warn that implementing the policy may face hurdles, as revising existing legislation could prove legally and politically complex. 'It's a major and bold initiative by the Indian Government which is critical for achieving the target,' Reuters quoted Charudatta Palekar, independent power sector consultant, as saying. 'The challenge will be to define quickly the rules of engagement with private sector,' Palekar added. New Delhi will have to change five laws, including the ones regulating mining and electricity sectors and India's foreign direct investment policy to enable private participation in many identified activities, the sources said. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sarpanch to be honoured on I-Day for transforming village
Bhilwara: Divyansh Bhardwaj, the young sarpanch of Awan Panchayat in Tonk district, will be honoured at the 2025 Independence Day ceremony in New Delhi. He is among 14 sarpanchs from Rajasthan who have been invited as special guests, along with their spouses, to the ceremony at Delhi's Red Fort. After completing an MBA in Switzerland, Bhardwaj transformed Awan panchayat, which now features air-conditioned and internet-equipped libraries for students, a heritage-style crematorium and cemetery, a heritage-look panchayat house, an attractive banquet hall-equipped marriage garden, Bheem Park, a women's ghat with dressing rooms at Rajkaleshwar Tirth, and a heritage cultural building—amenities rare in Indian villages. Bhardwaj introduced innovations such as providing air travel to meritorious students annually, appointing a woman as sarpanch on Women's Day each year, and implementing door-to-door garbage collection. During the Covid pandemic, he remained committed to public service. At the Independence Day ceremony in New Delhi, Bhardwaj and the other sarpanchs from Rajasthan will be seated in a designated area and may have the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The sarpanchs will stay at the Chanakyapuri Guest House of Rajasthan govt from Aug 13 to Aug 15. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Challenges behind us, momentum is back: PVR Inox MD Ajay Bijli
Mumbai: India's film exhibition sector is steadily recovering from the disruptions wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by higher footfall, increasing ticket prices and a robust content pipeline, said Ajay Bijli , managing director of PVR Inox , the country's largest multiplex chain. "The momentum is back. The challenges that once kept audiences away are behind us. The Hollywood strike is over, and even big-budget films are now attracting audiences. The content lineup looks very good," he told ET. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Looking ahead, the content slate for the rest of 2025-26 is strong, with War 2, Baaghi 4, The Bengal Files, Kantara, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Jolly LLB 3, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Bijli expects footfall to be far better than last year, though he stopped short of predicting a return to the pre-pandemic levels. PVR Inox accounts for an estimated 30% of the domestic industry's box-office revenue. Live Events According to Ormax, India's cinemas recorded customer footfall of 883 million in 2024, down 6% from that in 2023 and below 1.03 billion in 2019.
