India, China Expected to Resume Direct Flights Next Month Ahead of SCO Summit

India and China are expected to resume direct passenger flights as early as next month, marking a significant step toward improving bilateral relations after years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Galwan Valley border clashes. The Indian government has instructed airlines such as Air India and IndiGo to prepare for flights to China at short notice, with an official announcement potentially coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. Modi's trip will be his first to China in years and may include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, aiming to stabilize ties that have been strained by past conflicts and recent trade tensions. Since the suspension, travelers have had to use indirect routes through third countries, increasing travel time and costs, while the reopening of direct flights is seen as part of broader diplomatic efforts to restore normalcy and enhance cooperation. The resumption of flights is also aligned with India's recent easing of restrictions on Chinese tourists and comes amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region. Both governments view the restoration of air connectivity as a key step in fostering closer political, economic, and people-to-people exchanges.