Talks are underway on a bilateral air bubble agreement between India and Bahrain to operate flights in a regulated manner amidst travel restrictions due to Covid-19.
Indian government on Tuesday announced that it was negotiating with 13 countries, including Bahrain, to establish a safe travel corridor.
India already has such agreements with the US, the UK, France, Germany, the UAE, Qatar and Maldives.
According to Indian Club president Stalin Joseph, the new Indian Ambassador Piyush Srivastava is reportedly on the “mission” and a deal is expected within a week.
Agreement
The envoy apparently discussed the issue with club officials including general secretary Job M J and acting treasurer Vinod Thampi as they met him in his office.
“We are glad that Bahrain is on the list of 13 countries and during our meeting with Mr Srivastava, we had a discussion on the air bubble agreement, to support our fellow nationals who are stranded on both sides,” Mr Joseph told the GDN.
The “air bubble” concept emerged as nations felt the need to ensure the free flow of goods and people while keeping the pandemic in check.
India’s Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday that negotiations are on with Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand on the next phase of the air bubble agreement. Proposals have also been submitted to India’s neighbours Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan.
Meanwhile, “reverse repatriation” flights have been put on hold from August 13, following directives from Bahraini officials, it has emerged.
The GDN reported earlier this month that a Gulf Air flight brought back stranded Indians from Kerala, of which more than 90 per cent were those at risk of losing their jobs, or whose visas are about to expire.
The first-of-its-kind operation was spearheaded by the Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam (BKS) in co-operation with Bahrain’s national carrier and officials from both the countries.
Mr Joseph revealed that the first of at least five such flights planned by the club which was scheduled for Tuesday was put on hold.
Directive
“There are many issues that we face and the latest is a directive from the Foreign Ministry (Bahrain) that every passenger travelling back to the country should have a letter attested by his sponsor,” he explained.
“The directive is justified; with many companies shutting down, if people return only to realise they have no jobs, it will be adding to the number of illegal residents.
“At the same time it is practically not possible; for example, in the case of flexi permit holder who will give a letter?
“We are still taking bookings from people from Kerala, Delhi and Mumbai wanting to return, hoping that this will be addressed and the flights would resume.”
Apart from the club, BKS and Telugu Kala Samiti had also lined up chartered flights from India, all of which are on hold until further notice.
Mr Joseph also noted that the Indian repatriation flights under the government’s Vande Bharat Mission that are now flying to Bahrain empty could be used to bring back people with valid residence permits.
“As of now only people with special permission from both the governments are coming on those flights.
“And we don’t know yet if those people need a letter from their sponsor as well.”
The club operated 18 chartered flights to various destinations in India during the pandemic, while also engaged in services like, serving food kits and arranging medical support.
raji@gdn.com.bh
© Copyright 2020 www.gdnonline.com
Copyright 2020 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
