India and China are moving closer to restoring direct passenger flights, which have been suspended since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a Bloomberg report. Citing sources familiar with the discussions, Bloomberg report also claims that an official announcement could come as early as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in China at the end of August.

Mathrubhumi could not independently verify the contents of the report.

Indian airlines have been asked by the government to be ready to start flights to China at short notice. If finalised, this would be the first time in more than four years that travellers between the two countries could fly without transiting through hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.

The talks come at a sensitive time in international relations. While India is seeking to reset ties with China, its relationship with the US has recently faced strain after Washington doubled tariffs on some Indian goods over purchases of Russian oil.

Direct flights between India and China were halted in early 2020, and relations worsened after deadly border clashes later that year. In a sign of easing tensions, India recently resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the SCO summit in Tianjin from August 31, where he may meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Before the pandemic, Air India, IndiGo, Air China, China Southern, and China Eastern all operated routes between the two countries. Industry insiders say both Air India and IndiGo are expected to restart services once approvals are in place.

Officials from India’s aviation ministry and regulators have not commented on the talks, and the final timing of the flight resumption remains uncertain. Negotiations earlier this year had stalled, but momentum has picked up in the past two weeks, with airlines already informed about the potential reopening of the route.