India / Nearly 11 lakh Indians brought back under Vande Bharat Mission: Govt

New Delhi: More than 10,98,000 Indians stranded in countries abroad due to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic have been repatriated under the Vande Bharat Mission so far, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Tuesday. 

Taking to microblogging site Twitter, Civil Aviation ministry wrote: "Over 10,98,000 stranded Indians have been repatriated under Mission Vande Bharat since 6th May. This would not have been possible without the continued support of all stakeholders. Thank you!"

The Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also informed that India is in negotiations with 13 countries including Australia, Italy and Japan to establish bilateral air bubble arrangements for flight operations.

The 'air bubbles' arrangement helps airlines of the two countries to operate international flights with certain restrictions.

Such 'air bubbles' arrangements have been made with the US, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar, and the Maldives while negotiations are underway with Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Puri said ongoing negotiations will benefit stranded Indians and nationals of these countries, adding that air bubbles have also been proposed with our neighbours Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan. 

"We continue to further strengthen the reach & scope of VBM (Vande Bharat Mission). Air travel arrangements are already in place with the USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar and Maldives. We are now taking these efforts forward and are negotiating with 13 more countries to establish such arrangements," Puri tweeted.

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

Puri informed that the government will consider arrangements with other countries too and assured that no Indian will be left behind.