Following a fatal battle between troops in the Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh, in June 2020, relations between the two Asian powers deteriorated significantly. (File Photo)
India and China are set to resume direct flight services as early as next month, Reuters reported on Tuesday. This will be the first time the two countries have had direct air connectivity since the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the report, the Indian government has instructed carriers such as Air India and IndiGo to be ready to operate flights to China at short notice. The move is seen as a sign of improving relations between New Delhi and Beijing.
Following a fatal battle between troops in the Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh, in June 2020, relations between the two Asian powers deteriorated significantly. Both sides suffered casualties in what was the most significant military conflict in decades.
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Both countries participated in several rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations after the incident and greatly expanded army deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
A significant breakthrough came last year when both countries agreed to disengage forces in the Depsang and Demchok plains. The process, involving the withdrawal of troops, tents, and temporary structures, was completed on October 30.
While disengagement has taken place in some friction points, several areas along the LAC remain unresolved. This has kept relations strained despite ongoing talks.
Beyond military standoffs, economic and people-to-people exchanges were also affected. India imposed restrictions on Chinese investments, tightened scrutiny on imports, and suspended direct flights during the pandemic.
The suspension of flights significantly reduced business travel, tourism, and educational exchanges between the two nations. The possible resumption is expected to restore some of these links.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Tianjin later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit. This will be his first visit to China since 2019.
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China has welcomed Modi’s trip, saying they believe the Summit will be “a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results.”
The visit follows a series of SCO-related engagements in China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in recent months.
In addition to being convenient, the possible return of direct flights is a step toward fostering more trust between China and India. Restoring aviation connections could indicate a desire on both sides to reduce tensions and open the door for increased trade, tourism, and diplomatic interaction.
According to analysts, the action would also facilitate continuing border talks since more interactions would foster a more amicable atmosphere. The timing, which comes right before Modi's trip to China, raises the possibility that both sides are trying to portray collaboration while resolving unsolved border concerns.
