India begin talks with China to resume direct flights

NEW DELHI : India and China have started the process to resume direct flight operations by agreeing to first “streamline procedures” for airline operations, multiple sources told.

There has been no direct air connectivity between India and China since early 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The situation deteriorated after military clashes erupted between the two neighbours in the Galwan Valley of the Ladakh region.

Prior to Covid, airlines from both the sides operated flights to many destinations such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Flight services have resumed between India and Hong Kong sans mainland China.