India proposes resumption of air connectivity

Outgoing Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das yesterday proposed restoration of air connectivity with Bangladesh.

The air services between the neighboring countries have remained cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreak since April.

The Indian envoy came up with the proposal while at a meeting with State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali at his office in the secretariat.

She also informed Mahbub Ali about India's interest in working for the development of the aviation sector in Bangladesh, the civil aviation ministry said in a release.

In reply, the state minister agreed on the need to resume air communication and said steps would be taken soon through mutual communications.

During the meeting, the junior minister said direct flights from Sylhet MAG Osmani International Airport to London will start soon.

He also told the Indian envoy that the use of Osmani airport as a transit route will be much more convenient for the residents of the northeastern states of India to travel to different countries, especially the UK.

The Indian high commissioner agreed.

During the meeting, she and Mahbub Ali discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the development of the tourism and aviation sectors between the two countries.

Riva said the relations between Bangladesh and India are getting stronger day by day.

Mahbub Ali said it is necessary to create a field of regional cooperation for the development of tourism industry in the region in the aftermath of covid-19.

"The tourism industry in the region will be able to overcome the catastrophe caused by Covid-19 through the mutual travel of people of the neighboring friendly countries. Mutual cooperation in the tourism and aviation sectors will help both the countries achieve their goals," he said.

Describing her excellent experience of traveling to the Sundarbans during her stay, Riva said Bangladesh is a country of immense potential for tourism. There is also a lot of potential for developing tourism relations between Bangladesh and India, she said.

Mahbub Ali congratulated Riva on her appointment as secretary (east) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.