India In Talks With 13 Countries To Establish Bilateral Air Bubble; Pakistan, China Not In List

Travel bubble is a bilateral agreement between two countries to expedite the travel process of travelers of both the countries amidst the travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

(File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: With the aim to restore the commercial passenger services to pre-COVID levels, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday announced that India is negotiation with at least 13 more countries in order to establish 'Air Bubble' arrangements under a certain set of safety and passenger travelling conditions. Puri in his Twitter post said that the Indian government is making efforts to further strengthen the reach and is negotiating with 13 more countries to establish such arrangements. "These include Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea & Thailand," Puri Tweeted.

These countries include Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea & Thailand. The ongoing negotiations will benefit stranded Indians & nationals of these countries.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 18, 2020

Travel bubble is a bilateral agreement between two countries to expedite the travel process of travelers of both the countries amidst the travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Such corridors are being created where both countries have successfully curbed the growth of the virus. At present, India already has made such travel bubbles with USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar and Maldives. "We continue to further strengthen the reach & scope of VBM. Air Travel arrangements are already in place with USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar & Maldives. We are now taking these efforts forward & are negotiating with 13 more countries to establish such arrangements," he added.

We continue to further strengthen the reach & scope of VBM. Air Travel arrangements are already in place with USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar & Maldives.

We are now taking these efforts forward & are negotiating with 13 more countries to establish such arrangements. — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 18, 2020

The minister in his following posts on the micro-blogging site went on to announce that air bubbles have also been proposed with India's neighbors including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan. It is to be noted that China and Pakistan are not mentioned in the list.

Air bubbles have also been proposed with our neighbors Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal &Bhutan. Going forward, we will consider such arrangements with other countries also. It is always our endeavour to reach out to every stranded citizen. No Indian will be left behind.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) August 18, 2020

Last month, India had agreed on travel arrangements with three countries - France, US and Germany. The latest air bubble was the one with Canada which became operational on August 15.