Resuming Bangladesh-India air flights proposed

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das has proposed Bangladesh to resume air travels between the two neighbouring countries which remain suspended since March this due to Covid-19 pandemic. 

During a meeting with State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali on Thursday at the Secretariat, she also invited Bangladesh to join Indian air bubble – an exclusive arrangement between neighbouring countries which re-establish air connectivity and allow people to travel freely within the zone.

Mahbub Ali also agreed on the need to resume air connections and said that necessary steps would be taken through bilateral discussions.

During the meeting, the Indian High Commissioner also informed the state minister about India's interest in developing Bangladesh's aviation sector.

Describing her excellent experiences during the Sundarbans trips, Riva Ganguly said, "Bangladesh is a country with huge potentials for tourism. There are many scopes for developing tourism relations between Dhaka and Delhi." 

She said, "The infrastructural development of Rabindranath Tagore's Shilaidaha Kuthibari is going on in Kushtia with an Indian grant. After its completion, a large number of people from West Bengal will visit the spot."

Mahbub Ali said it is necessary to create a field of regional cooperation to salvage the tourism industry in the post-pandemic period. 

He said the tourism industry in this region would be able to overcome the virus shock through travels between the two neighboring countries. Mutual cooperation in tourism and aviation sectors will help both countries to achieve their goals. 

The state minister told the Indian envoy that direct flights from Sylhet Osmani International Airport to London would resume soon. He proposed the northeast Indian travelers to avail trips to different countries, especially to London, from the airport.      

The Indian High Commissioner responded positively in this regard.

The state minister also thanked the outgoing Indian High Commissioner for her cooperation in various aspects during her stay in Dhaka.

He also congratulated Riva Ganguly Das on her appointment as secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs of India.