New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- China on Thursday confirmed that it has been in "close communication" with India to resume direct flights between the two countries, signalling a possible end to a five-year suspension of air connectivity.

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, responding to questions about recent media reports, said both sides have been working "for some time" to facilitate the "early resumption" of flights. The announcement comes amid speculation that an official confirmation could coincide with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin from 31 August to 1 September.

Until early 2020, state-owned carriers such as China Eastern Airlines and Air China operated daily routes to several Indian cities, includ...