As a sign of bettering ties between the two countries, media reports indicate that direct flight services between China and India could resume as early as next month. According to the report, the Indian government has directed domestic airlines, such as IndiGo and Air India, to get ready to launch flights to China at short notice.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, direct air travel between the two nations has been halted. This suspension took place in the wake of a deadly military conflict in June 2020 in the Galwan Valley in eastern Ladakh, which escalated tensions. Bilateral relations drastically deteriorated as a result of that incident, which was the most significant military conflict between China and India in decades.
Both nations greatly expanded their troop deployments along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the conflict in the Galwan Valley. Over the past few years, several rounds of military and diplomatic negotiations have led to some disengagement at particular points of contention; however, a number of issues remain unresolved, maintaining strained relations.
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The tense relationship affected people-to-people and economic interactions as well. India suspended direct flights, increased import scrutiny, and imposed restrictions on Chinese investments. Nonetheless, there have been hints of a possible thaw in recent months, with both parties continuing to communicate in an effort to reduce tensions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Tianjin later this month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit is another encouraging sign. He hasn't been to China since 2019. China has praised the visit and said it hopes the summit will be 'a gathering of solidarity, friendship and fruitful results'.
Modi's upcoming visit follows a series of high-level engagements in China by other Indian officials. In recent months, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have all participated in SCO-related meetings in China.
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